Mineral Point / Madison – Mary Elizabeth Graber, age 73, of Madison, formerly of Mineral Point, died on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at University Hospital in Madison surrounded by her loved ones. She was born on January 7, 1947 in Dodgeville, a daughter of the late Homer L. and Elaine E.(Unterholzner) Graber.

Mary Graber loved her children, grandchildren, Wisconsin sports, the Beach Boys, baking, knitting, and any family gathering.

Mary was the daughter of Homer and Elaine Graber, and grew up on the family farm in Mineral Point, WI with siblings Doug, Martha, and Virginia. A fourth sibling, Karl, died at birth. She attended St. Mary's grade school and graduated with honors from Mineral Point High School.

Growing up on the farm, she learned about hard work and raising cattle. Mary showed multiple Grand Champion steers at the Wisconsin State Fair and Southern Junior Livestock Expo, in addition to showmanship titles.

Mary had five children and seven grandchildren for whom she had a steadfast dedication. Quiet, strong and reserved, Mary literally blanketed her children, grandchildren, and anyone and everyone with her knitted afghans. She also blanketed them with love, support, humor and sweets. She baked everyone's favorite treat each holiday.

Mary was preceded in death by her daughter Kristine Stenulson, parents Homer and Elaine Graber, her brother Karl, sister Virginia O'Neill (Charles), her niece Diane, and her nephew Daniel. She is survived by her children Jan Martin (Bryan), Michelle Perri (Jeremy), Carolyn Timmerman (Tony), Jon Cox (Jeni), her grandchildren Kris and Abby Martin, Tanner, Lilly and Tyson Timmerman, Riley Cox, and Christian Perri, her brother Doug Graber (Judy), sister Martha Graber, nephews Brock, Garrett, and Brian, and niece Nicole.

Mary loved learning about the history of the West. Not that she needed additional excuses to travel to Durango to visit her son's family, but an added bonus was that Jon works on the historic Durango and Silverton Railroad. Mary often commented on how she would have like to have lived in that time, and felt called to the mountains.

Mary truly enjoyed joking around with her family. Anytime she was on the receiving end of a joke, her laughing retort was "that's fine, you'll be sorry when I'm gone." She was right. Her family and friends loved her. She will be missed dearly.

A special Thank You must be extended to the doctors, nurses, and medical staff at UW Hospital for their loving care of Mary.

A public visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 14, 2020 at the GORGEN FUNERAL HOME in Mineral Point.

A Private Family service will be held.

Due to Wisconsin's public health mandate, masks are to be worn during the duration of your visit inside of the funeral home and that you practice proper social distancing guidelines.