GRABER, JANALEE MARIE Of Portage, Michigan Janalee Marie Graber, 69, of Portage, Michigan passed away peacefully at her winter residence in Sarasota, Florida on February 12, 2019 and stepped into her beautiful eternal home after a two-year battle with cancer. Preceded in death are parents Paul and Pauline Horst and brother Lowell Horst. Survivors are her husband, Nelson Graber, of Portage, MI; son Paul (Samantha) Graber and grandchildren Caleb, Bailey, and Keaton Graber of Lumberton, TX; son Brian (Lisa) Graber and grandchildren Kate and Jake Graber of Western Springs, IL; brother David (Reva) Horst of Kalamazoo, MI; brother Devon (Marilyn) Horst of Barnesville, GA; and brother Don Horst of Wrens, GA, as well as many nephews and nieces.
Janalee was born on September 25, 1949 in Goshen, IN and moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in 1953. She graduated from Bethany Christian High School in Goshen, IN, from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI, and from Bronson School of Nursing in Kalamazoo, first earning her LPN license and later her RN license. On June 29, 1973, she married Nelson Graber.
The two celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary in 2018. Janalee’s nursing career spanned 42 years at Bronson Methodist Hospital, with the majority of those years in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where she cared for thousands of babies and their families. Jan loved her job at Bronson Hospital and retired from there in 2013.
Jan and Nelson had the privilege of being part of two church families – Sarasota Community Church in Florida and New Hope Fellowship in Paw Paw, MI. As part of her outreach ministries, Jan loved to participate in the quilting groups in each church. Her hands helped stitch many quilts for those who were hurting, grieving, or recovering from an illness.
She had a servant’s heart and made everyone feel loved and welcomed. Hospitality was, without a doubt, one of her Spiritual Gifts, and she constantly gave of herself. She also loved to cook and sew, and she ministered to many through these activities as well.
Jan loved the Lord and wanted all to love Him, too. She counted it an honor to pray for her husband, her children, and her grandchildren, and she exemplified what it looked like to be a true follower of Christ. She also loved her brothers and her sisters-in-law and counted them as dear friends.
Jan had special relationships with her nephews and nieces and loved all of them dearly. Visitation for family and friends will be held at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 on Monday, February 18 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at New Hope Fellowship, 201 W. Michigan, Paw Paw, MI 49079 on Tuesday, February 19 at 11:00 a.m. with Interment at Clinton Union Cemetery, 63576 County Road 35, Goshen, Indiana 46528 that afternoon. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Janalee’s memory may be directed to New Hope Fellowship in Paw Paw, MI.
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