Fern Marian Grauer

Fern Marian Grauer was born on October 26, 1919 in LeMars, Iowa to Henry Dorr, Jr. and Kathryn (Doerr) Dorr. She was baptized into the Lutheran faith at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Marcus. She attended rural school at Simpson Bethel, completed an additional year of confirmation classes, and graduated from Marcus High School in 1938. Fern and her high school sweetheart, Wendell D. Grauer were united in marriage at Trinity Lutheran Church on September 22, 1940. They worked together at the bowling alley, owned by Wendell's father until Wendell was able to establish his own Radio and TV business where Fern helped manage the business. They eventually built a house in Marcus, but after retirement moved to the Henry Dorr family home next door. Fern was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Marcus and was a charter member of the Ladies Aid. She volunteered many hours in church activities and teaching Sunday School. Her strong faith guided her in all things. She was active in many community organizations including Tourist Club, Noname Club, Bridge Club, Hobby Club and Birthday Club. She loved gardening, camping, fishing, golfing, swimming, anything outdoors. She canned and cooked and sewed and painted. Fern was happy and cheery and displayed the brightest smile. She was kind and caring to everyone, never saying a negative comment about anyone. Family was a cornerstone of her life. She was a wonderful wife and mother of two children. She loved traveling to Florida to visit her son's family. She was a caregiver for her mother-in-law, father, mother and husband during their final days. Wendell passed in 1996 and in 1998, Fern and her dog, Mac, moved to the Black Hills of South Dakota to live with her daughter and son-in-law and their dogs for 18 years. The blended family hiked and camped and fished and traveled. They had a great life. In the final years of her life, she attended Western Resources Adult Day Care where she enjoyed meeting friends and was the favorite of everyone. Her smile captured everyone's heart and she was Grandma Fern to all who knew her. Eventually at 95, she tired of illness and passed away at home under Hospice Care. Fern will lovingly be remembered by her son, Barry (Nancy) Grauer of Waynesville, NC, and daughter Pamela Grauer (Lial Kofoed) of Spearfish, SD; grandchildren, Doug (Dahlia) Grauer and their son Joshua, and Deana Grauer Parker and her husband Dwaine Parker and their children Dillan and Daelyn; she is also survived by other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Western Resources Adult Day Center, 4425 E. Colorado Blvd., Spearfish, SD 57783

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