Obituary of Wilma Pearle Grauer

    Wilma Pearle “Willy” Grauer, youngest of seven children of Robert A. and Ruth I. (Mitchell) Ferris, was born in rural Cherokee, Iowa, Afton Township, on August 7, 1935.

    She received her early education through the country school system, attending Afton #2 along with four of her siblings. While in 3^rd Grade, her parents purchased a farm in Grand Meadow Township, consequently, she completed her education at Grand Meadow Consolidated School, graduating with the class of 1953. Following high school, Willy enrolled at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa where she earned her teaching certificate. She soon found employment as a first-grade teacher with the Sanborn Community School in Sanborn, Iowa; a position she held until her retirement in 1990.

    On May 26, 1955, Willy was united in marriage to Dale Grauer at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cherokee. They called Sanborn “home” the remainder of their lives and raised their only son, Nicholas Jay, here as well.  

   Willy wasn’t one to just “sit around”. For several years, she enjoyed belonging to a bowling league in town, spent many hours on the golf course, and learned to water-walk. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and part of a group that assembled quilts for their mission program. Quieter times gave her a chance to master a jigsaw puzzle, play cards or do some visiting with older neighbors and friends. 

    On Saturday, December 9, 2023, Willy passed from this life at the age of 88 years. She now joins loved ones who have gone before: her husband, Dale; her parents, Robert and Ruth Ferris; brothers: John Ferris, and Eugene Ferris; sisters: Mildred Bainbridge, Leone Crane, and Helen Downey.

    Keeping her memory close at heart are her son, Nicholas, and his wife, Sherry Grauer of Reno, Texas; grandchildren: Kyle Grauer, Andrew Grauer, CarolAnn Michaels, and Aaron Michaels; four great-grandchildren;  her sister, Margaret “Peggy” Wilberding of Melrose, IA; other relatives and dear friends.