Henrietta S. (Dittmer) Grauerholz

Obituary of Henrietta S. Grauerholz

            Henrietta Sophia Grauerholz, the daughter of Fred Dittmer and Caroline “Lena” (Meyer) Dittmer, was born January 9, 1930, at the family home in Rural Republic County, Kansas and passed away on April 15, 2024, at the family home at the age of 94 years.

            Henrietta grew up and attended the local public schools of Prairie Dell, District 77, in rural Republic County and later graduated from Byron High School in 1947.She also attended Fairbury Junior College, Fairbury, Nebraska the summer of 1947, where she received her teaching certificate. She taught for two years at District 62 in Nuckolls County, Nebraska. She later worked for Reinke Lumber in Byron Nebraska in the early 1950’s.  Henrietta became the Byron Public Library assistant librarian in 1964.  In the 1980’s she became the librarian and served in that role until she retired in 2015.

            She was united in marriage to Vernon W. Grauerholz on April 18, 1954, and to this union was born, Sandra and Dana.

            Henrietta was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church, where she was active in WELCA, and taught Sunday School and was a member of the Byron American Legion Auxiliary.   Henrietta enjoyed needlework, gardening, farming, traveling and crossword puzzles. She was an active participant in the NCK Free Fair for many years.

            Henrietta was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Caroline “Lena” Dittmer, and her husband Vernon W. Grauerholz in 1997. 

            She is survived by one sister, Deanna (Jimmie) Wittstruck of Omaha, NE, one daughter, Sandra D. (Greg) Braden of Topeka, KS; one son, Dana A. (Jeanette) Grauerholz of St. Marys, KS; 3 grandchildren, Brett (Emily) Grauerholz, Travis Grauerholz, and Laura Grauerholz Hanus (Mike); Two great grandchildren, Noah and Isaac Grauerholz; other relatives, and friends.

            Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, April 19, 2024, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, rural Byron, NE with Vicar Jack R. Roegner, officiating.

            Interment will follow at St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery.

             Friends may call from 1 PM until 7 PM on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS where the family will greet friends from 5 PM until 7 PM on Thursday.   The casket will be closed following the visitation. 

           Memorials are suggested to the Henrietta Grauerholz Memorial Fund at St. Peter Lutheran Church.

            Online condolences at www.bachelor-surber.com

            Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, 1322 19th Street, P.O. Box 326, Belleville, KS  66935, is assisting the family with the arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Henrietta S. (Dittmer) Grauerholz, please visit our floral store.