OBITUARY: Esther Noretta Graves, 1910-2004, Mitchell Co., Iowa

[Adapted from: Mitchell County Press online -- Posted Feb. 11, 2004]





                          Esther Noretta Graves

Funeral services for Esther Graves age 93, of Alta Loma, California,
were held Saturday Jan. 31, 2004 at the Grace Lutheran Church in Covina,
California. Pastor Eric Young officiated.  She was laid to rest at
Oakdale Cemetery in Glendora, California, along side of her husband
Charles "Chuck".  Esther passed away Jan. 27, 2004 at San Antonio
Hospital in Upland, California.

She was born Mar. 10, 1910 in rural Decorah, Iowa.  She attended
schools in the Decorah area, completing her sophomore year and then
transferred to Waverly Nursing School.  She married Charles Henry
Graves "Chuck" of Mitchell, Iowa, November 1930. Esther and Chuck were
blessed with three children Merlin, Dean, and Larry.  Chuck was a
former mayor of Mitchell, Iowa.  Chuck sold the garage in Mitchell
in 1955, and they moved to Covina, California.  They worked for the
same company an aluminum factory in Covina, he was a Foreman and she
worked as a stockroom clerk.  Chuck passed away 1968.  

In 1973 Esther moved to Diamond Bar, California.  Esther retired from
Johnston pump in Glendora in 1975.  She moved to Spokane, Washington,
in 1999.  Dec. 2, 2003 she moved back to California with her son Merlin
due to failing health.  

Her husband, parents, three brothers and five sisters precede her in
death.  

Esther is survived by sons Merlin of Alta Loma, California, Dean of
West Covina, California, and Larry of Spokane, Washington; 10 grandchildren,
14 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.


   Copyright 2004, K.L. Kittleson