Graber, George L. “Pep”
November 18, 1928 - June 28, 2010
Dodgeville - George “Pep” L. Graber, age 81, died on Monday, June 28, 2010, as a result of a farming accident. He was born in Mineral Point on November 18, 1928, to Ernest and Nora (Schaaf) Graber. He married Barbara Hamm on September 18, 1951, and was blessed with five children. On May 30, 1986, Pep married Berniece Holmes, and they had 24 wonderful years together.
Being a lifetime farmer, Pep hosted the Iowa County Steak Feed in 1999 and was named Iowa County Cattleman of the Year in 2000. He was extremely proud of his Black Angus cows and club calves and enjoyed sharing his farming and cattle stories with others. Pep never passed up a game of cards or a chance to play with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was always the biggest kid at Christmas and his signature “Old Spice” jingle will live forever in our hearts.
Pep will be sadly missed by his family: His wife, Berniece; two sons, Jeffery and special friend Anita of San Francisco, CA.; Mark of Stoughton; a daughter Gail (Jerry) Schaefer of Montfort; his loving step children, Steve (Bonnie) Holmes of Dodgeville, Kathy (Brian) Lundell of Dodgeville, Greg (Tina) Holmes of Highland, Karie (Steve) Allbaugh of Monroe. His grandchildren: Chad Schaefer, Reeannon and Rachel Graber, Gabby Graber, Stephanie (Curt) Weier, Brooke (Brent) Running, Chanee’ and Kasie Lundell, Jacque, Jenny and Dawson Holmes, Leslie (Jamie) Boyle, Shawn Allbaugh and great grandchildren Tatum Allbaugh and Colin Boyle and Makayla Weier. Pep is further survived by his brothers Kenny Graber, Ted (Mary) Graber, Sam (Sandy) Graber, sisters Mary Lou Doney and Nancy Graber, his sister-in-law, Pat (Tom) Forbes, as well as many nieces and nephews and numerous friends. His extended family includes the Scott Gaffney, Mike Schubert, Mike Theobald, and Dave Thomas families.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Barb, two sons, Michael in 2001 and Larry in 2005, his grandson Jeremy Schaefer in 2006, his brother, David Graber, his brother-in-law, Dave Doney and his sister-in-law, Ellie Graber and Vivian Johnsen, his mother-in law who helped him raise his five children.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 2, 2010 at ST. JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH in Dodgeville. Fr. Patrick Wendler will officiate. Burial will be held in St. Mary's Cemetery in Mineral Point. Friends may call from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Thursday at the GORGEN-McGINLEY & AYERS FUNERAL HOME in Dodgeville.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to a Scholarship Fund being established in George "Pep" Graber's name for young cattlemen.
Pep was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.
