Rachel Kay Graber

Rachel Kay Graber, age 92, of Sioux Falls, SD, passed away on Monday, September 21, 2026, at Edgewood Memory Care in Sioux Falls.

Rachel Kay (Allard) Graber was born on January 23, 1934, to Ray and Lillian Allard. Her father died in a car accident when she was six months old, leaving her mother to raise three young girls on her own. Because of this, Rachel grew up to be strong, independent, and confident.

She graduated from Sibley Iowa High School. Rachel played drums and saxophone in the band, was on the girls basketball team, and earned the honor of valedictorian of her class. She was only 17 years old when she graduated. Immediately after graduation, Rachel left the small town of Sibley and headed to the big city of Minneapolis. She attended school to become a phlebotomist and lab and X-ray tech. Upon completion of her training, she accepted a job working in the lab of a clinic with five doctors in Brookings, SD. She met Marvin Graber on a double blind date before Christmas in 1953. Rachel was matched with the other man, and Marvin was with the other woman, but Marvin knew that night he was going to marry Rachel. Their first date was in January 1954. They were engaged on February 14, 1954, and married August 21 that same year. They were married for 58 years and 5 months when Marvin passed away.

The couple moved to Marion, SD, where Marvin owned the general store and Rachel worked at the lab and x-ray in the hospital in Freeman, SD.

After moving to Sioux Falls, Rachel worked in the lab in McKennan Hospital briefly before deciding to be a stay-at-home mom caring for their four daughters: Lynne, Carmen, Beth and Michele.

Once all four girls were in school, Rachel started working outside the home: first as manager of a psychiatrist clinic and later as manager of a general medicine clinic. After retiring, she was asked to help out at a surgical clinic. This “temporary position” lasted for nine years.

Rachel loved to travel. She and Marvin went on many bus trips in the USA and made a few trips across the ocean to England and Germany. Rachel was always ready for an adventure: crossing a field in Germany where they were chased by a bull, a trip from South Dakota to Florida in a van with 4 young children and their parents, a cruise to Alaska, a zipline, biplane ride and horseback riding in Kauai, and her last big adventure in a hot air balloon to watch the sun rise over the Red Rocks and desert in Sedona, AZ.

Rachel was a member of First United Methodist Church for almost 70 years. She participated in Sunday School as a teacher, Wedded Band, Chancel Choir, Hand Bell Choir, women’s Bible study, and United Women of Faith.

Rachel was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader for many years and was also a member of the Association of Medical Assistants.

Rachel was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, husband Marvin, sister and brother-in-law, and grandson Anthony (AJ) Walker. She is survived by her four daughters: Lynne (Jerry) Laird, Carmen Graber, Beth (John) Rehurek, Michele Walker (Jeff Malwitz ), eight grandchildren: Jacob (Lacy) Laird, Jordan (Amanda) Laird, Kasey (TJ) Larson, Tyler (Sarah) Hanson, Drew (Breanna) Rehurek, Matthew Rehurek(Sophia Olmos), Zach (Chelsea) Albrecht, Kortni (Jeremy) Schoenwald, 16 great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, her sister and brother-in-law Beverly and Delmar Klassen and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial visitation, with family present to greet friends, will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on Monday, September 28, 2026, at Miller Funeral Home Downtown (507 S Main Ave) in Sioux Falls, SD. A prayer service will begin at 6:30 PM.

A memorial service will take place at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at First United Methodist Church (401 S Spring Ave) in Sioux Falls. Private family inurnment will be at Hills of Rest Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association or First United Methodist Church.