Johanna Freda Grabher

Johanna Freda Grabher, 100, of Morrilton, Arkansas died peacefully surrounded by family on Friday December 10, 2010. A lifelong resident of Conway County she was born October 25, 1910 in Oppelo, Arkansas. Johanna was the seventh of eleven children, born of the late John Albert and Emma Isenman Grabher. She was also preceded in death by all her siblings. This includes her sisters Elizabeth Mary (Sister Albertine) and Marie Elizabeth (John) Gunther. Sisters Anna Marie, Mary, Rose and Anna Marie all died as infants/children; Brothers were John Fred (Anna Marie & Josephine), Joseph Albert (Irene & Velma), Carl Henry (Eleanor) and Albert William. She was preceded in death by her nieces Rita Grabher Gray, infant Carolyn Grabher and nephew Joseph Grabher. Survivors include her sister-in-law Theresa Breyel (Albert) Grabher; her nephews Conrad, John, Ed, Joe, Paul, Raymond, and Bobby Gunther and Jimmy Grabher; her nieces Frances Grabher Donaldson, Anna Marie Gunther Gangluff, Regina Gunther Gangluff, Margaret Gunther Bruton, Susan Grabher Few and Donna Grabher Dare and their families. She was very close to her great-niece Stephanie Donaldson Fox and her great-nephews Michael Gray and Gregory Donaldson; and her caregiver for 2 years and special friend Lea Smiley. Her other family (as she fondly called them) were the Loid and Mark Roland families and their children. Although Johanna never had any children of her own, she was a mother and grandmother to many nieces and nephews. Johanna was a member of Sacred Heart Church of Morrilton for over 50 years. She worked for many years at Mather Lodge on Petit Jean Mountain managing the dining room. She later worked at Thines grocery. She worked various jobs until her mid eighties. She always had a large vegetable garden and loved to share vegetables with family, friends and neighbors. The neighbors often worried about her, at age 95, working in her garden but she said "not to worry - if I go I'll go happy." She said, "I feel closer to the Lord in my garden." She lived in her home until her 98th birthday. Her life was based on the scripture "love your neighbor as yourself." She often said "what's the use in living if you can't help others." She touched many, many lives, especially the lives of young people. She lived life to the fullest. Funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday December 13, 2010 at 10 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Oppelo with Father Richard Davis and Father Charlie Thessing officiating. Rosary will be at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home, with Father Richard Davis. Burial will be at St. Elizabeth Cemetery by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton. Memorials may be sent to: Sacred Heart School Endowment Fund, 105 N St. Joseph St., Morrilton, AR 72110, or St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 20 St. Boniface, Bigelow, Arkansas 72016.

Johanna Freda Grabher

October 24, 1910 - December 10, 2010