Dorothy J. Graber, 89 of Sterling passed away on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. Visitation will be held from 10 am to 4 pm, Friday, May 4 at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, May 5 at the First Christian Church with Pastor Lew Champ officiating. Burial will be at the Riverside Cemetery.

With tears in our eyes and with broken hearts, we will forever miss Mom and Grams.

Dorothy was born June 13, 1928 in Bradshaw, Nebraska to Laurance Ray Blair and Gertrude Elvina Richter. The family moved to Sterling when Dorothy was three years old. She graduated from Sterling High School in 1946 and later attended NJC in Sterling. She married Tom Graber on February 27, 1949. They were married for 36 years when he passed away on September 29, 1985. In the earlier years, Dorothy worked at Montgomery Wards and for a local doctor for five years. She then went to work for an oil company. She worked in the same building for over 37 years, even though the company sold several times. Of those 37 years, 32 were with the Permian Corporation of Sterling. She retired in 1993.

Dorothy really enjoyed her volunteer work. She helped out in the Sterling Regional Medical Center gift shop for almost 29 years, (over 7,000 hours) and also helped out at the David Walsh Cancer Center ever since it was built. She volunteered at Cooperative Ministry for 15 years and Belle Bonfils Blood Bank.

Dorothy joined the Sterling Lions Club on February 9, 2010. She helped with the Literacy Program, Health Fair, Diabetes Awareness, Easter Candy Hunt, NJC Scholarship Committee, Pancake Night for Sight, was a greeter, and was on the Board of Directors for two years. She also tended the cash box at many grilling activities and was a ticket saleswoman extraordinaire! She founded the original Pinochle card club 68 years ago and was a member of two Bunco groups and Curves.

She was an avid reader, sometimes starting three books at a time. She enjoyed growing vegetables and had a large variety of flowers in her garden. Dorothy was a great cook and enjoyed baking. She shared the baked goods with her family, friends and neighbors.

Dorothy made every holiday the very best for her family. This included Easter, the 4 ^th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving and especially Christmas. Family was important to her and she especially enjoyed time with her grandkids, Dustin and Darcie. Dorothy also enjoyed traveling to Canada, Branson, Missouri, Hawaii, Alaska, New York, Boston, the Caribbean and the mountains. She also enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune, Family Feud, Who wants to be a Millionaire, and her favorite, Little Big Shots.

Dorothy was a social butterfly who was both friendly and engaging to those she met. She had a remarkable way of meeting the needs of others, whatever that need seemed to be. She cultivated a meaningful bond with people regardless of their age. She greeted everyone with a smile. Dorothy's friendships were lasting and plentiful and her love was defined by her devotion; she was truly a generous person.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter Melanie (Rodger) Giesick of Greeley, CO; grandson Dustin (Ashlie) Giesick of Beale, CA; granddaughter Darcie Giesick of Greeley, CO; sister Jan Triplett and brother Randy Carlton both of Greeley, CO and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, six brothers and two sisters.

Dorothy's family would like to extend appreciation and gratitude to all the staff at Devonshire Acres and Sterling Regional Medical Center. Also a special recognition to Ramona Kirkwood, Corinne Gerk, Marie Rogers, Don and Doris Seghi, Bob Blach and the late Miriam Schott.

We will miss her love and presence.

Memorial contributions may be made in Dorothy's name to the Sterling Lions Club in care of Chaney-Reager Funeral Home, PO Box 1046, Sterling, CO 80751.

Arrangements for Dorothy have been entrusted to the care of Chaney-Reager Funeral Home.