Date of Birth: October 14, 1927
Date of Death: March 12, 2022
With sadness we announce the passing of our mother, Frieda Philippina (Rathgeber) Graff.
Mom was born on Oct. 14, 1927, to Joseph and Philippina (Litzenberger) Rathgeber on the family farm near Neudorf, SK. She followed four older brothers and was the first of three sisters. Mom was baptized by Rev. N. Honebein on Nov. 6, 1927, in her parents’ home and confirmed on March 29, 1942, by Rev. A. Shira at Christ Lutheran Church, Neudorf. She was married to Frank Graff on Jan. 5, 1948, by Rev. E. Schmok in Vancouver, BC.
Sadly, Mom was widowed on Sept. 24, 1956. She continued to farm and raise her children with the help of her brother-in-law, Fred C. Graff. Although work on the farm was very hard and never-ending, Mom loved every aspect of farming: hand milking cows, raising chickens, gardening, seeding time and harvesting. In her “spare” time, she loved to sew. She served many delicious meals, as well as cinnamon rolls and kuchen to family and friends. Even after Mom left the farm, she remained interested in what was happening on the farm.
Mom moved to Southey for a brief period of two years. While there, she found employment at a local restaurant and a hotel, again baking, cooking and doing housekeeping what she knew best how to do.
Her longing for Neudorf and her new grandchildren brought her to Roadside Manor, where she resided for 32 years. She again remained busy baking and sharing countless trays of cinnamon rolls, kuchen, buns and loaves of bread. Mom greatly enjoyed following the lives of her grandchildren by attending many ball games, band concerts, music festivals and drama productions.
After celebrating her 90th birthday at Roadside Manor, a fall a short time later forced her to move to Echo Lodge Care Home at Fort Qu’Appelle and then to St. Paul Lutheran Home in Melville, where she passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at the age of 94 years. She will be sadly missed by everyone.
Mom was predeceased by her parents, Joseph (1975) and Philippina (1996) Rathgeber; her husband, Frank (1956); her brothers, Fredrick William (2002), Valentine (2011), Henry (2002) and Arthur (2002). Remembering her are her CHILDREN: Gloria (Rev. Howard) Ulmer of Regina and Garnet (Shelley) Graff of Neudorf; her GRANDCHILDREN: Joscelyn (Marcel) Bona of Red Deer, AB; Lyndon (Danielle) Graff of Craven, SK; Evan (Kyla) Graff of Regina, SK; Kristen (Wayne) Jarocki of Weyburn, SK; her GREAT- GRANDCHILDREN: Nicholas Bona of Red Deer, AB and Inara Graff of Regina, SK; her SISTERS: Helen Gattinger of Melville, SK, and Alice DeMello of Regina, SK; her SISTER-IN-LAW: Helen Rathgeber of Neudorf, SK.
We thank God for the gift of our mother and thank everyone who loved and befriended her during her lifetime. Special thanks to Dr. Eshawesh and the staff of St. Paul Lutheran Home for their care and concern.
Frieda’s funeral service was held on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at Christ Lutheran Church, Neudorf, with the Rev. Vivian Roberts officiating. Barbara Waldbauer led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, “Lord Take My Hand and Lead Me”, “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” and “O Lord, Now Let Your Servant”. The eulogy was presented by Garnet Graff, and readings were offered by Evan Graff and Lyndon Graff. Interment took place in Christ Lutheran Cemetery, Neudorf, with Joscelyn and Marcel Bona, Evan and Kyla Graff, Lyndon and Danielle Graff, and Kristan and Wayne Jarocki acting as pallbearers.
Arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Melville.
