Barb Graham

Barb Graham, age 76, of Aurora, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at Memorial Community Care.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday at the Grace Bible Fellowship at 2518 23rd Avenue, Central City. Rev. Clint Chiles will officiate. Interment will be in Richland Cemetery at 10 a.m. prior to the service. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday at Higby-McQuiston Mortuary in Aurora. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Senior Center, East Park Villa, Memorial Community Care or Grace Bible Fellowship Church. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at www.higbymortuary.com.
Barbara Ann Graham, the daughter of Ben M. and Bernice (Doell) Friesen, was born in Aurora, Neb,m on Aug. 11, 1948 and passed away in Aurora on Aug. 20, 2024 at the age of 76.
Barb grew up in Henderson and graduated from Henderson High School in 1966. While in high school she worked for several aunts in their businesses as well as helping families that needed help following a medical incident. Barb moved to Aurora in 1967 and worked as a nurse aide at Memorial Hospital until 1969 when she met and married Bill Graham on Aug. 16, 1969 at Aurora. They had two sons: Paul and Tim. After the birth of Paul, Barb worked at the pickle plant in Aurora and then at Wortman Enterprises cleaning motel rooms and rentals. In 1975 Barb started as director of the Hamilton County Senior Center, a position she held for 35 years before retiring in 2010. She also served as payee for individuals needing help with their finances. Barb was active in SHIP assisting seniors with Medicare issues. Bill passed away on Feb. 14, 2014.
Since retiring she assisted at East Park Villa with polishing nails, calling Bingo and reading the newspaper to residents that could not see well and she always had a treat for each one. She loved to cook and bake. She was famous for her cinnamon rolls and runzas. During the holidays she made peanut brittle for the Senior Center, church, and family members.
Barb was a lifetime member of VFW Auxiliary #4993, past member of Nebraska Association of Senior Centers, past member of the Hospital Auxiliary and a member of Grace Bible Fellowship Church in Central City. She was also inducted into the Nebraska Navy.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband; sister, Berdean Swanson and niece, Cheri Nelson.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are her two sons, Paul (Shelly) Graham of Aurora and Tim Graham of Florida; daughter-in-law, Becky Graham of Aurora and five grandchildren, Alicia Graham, Jenna Graham, Peyton Graham, Isaac Graham and Andrew Graham. She is also survived by a brother, Byron (Teresa) Friesen of Henderson; two sisters, Brenda (LaRoy) Hiebner of Henderson and Beverly (Burton) Peters of Henderson; brother-in-law, Roy Swanson of Lincoln; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and many close friends.