February 15, 1953 – May 18, 2020

Ruth Graber, 67, of Sioux Falls, S.D., died May 18, 2020, at Avera Dougherty Hospice House, after a courageous five-year battle with cancer.

A memorial service will take place at a later date.

Ruth Arlene Graber was born during an epic snowstorm on February 15, 1953, to Marinus and Esther Hoekstra of Edgerton, at the Pipestone hospital. Ruth shared her life with her two children, Baron Wolfgang, born in 1982, and Rachel Wolfgang, born in 1985. Her life revolved around her children.

On January 19, 1991, she was married to Dr. Dennis Graber in Sioux Falls. She welcomed Denny’s children, Becky and Nate, into her life, and helped with Denny’s dental practice.

Ruth was a survivor. At the age of 32, she had her first encounter with cancer. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in the summer of 1985, just months after having her daughter, Rachel. After chemo, surgery, and radiation, she remained cancer free until her diagnosis in June of 2015.

She is survived by her husband, Denny, son, Baron, daughter, Rachel, stepdaughter, Rebecca (Brian) Tolrud, stepson Nathan (Kristen) Graber, four grandchildren; four sisters, Wilma (Don) Vandeberg, Theora (Sonny) Versteeg, Evelyn (Marlin) Baas, Mary (Ken) Berghorst; two brothers, Cal (Pat) Hoekstra and Ron (Cher) Hoekstra; and many nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Esther and Marinus Hoekstra, an infant sister, Joann, her mother-in-law, Cora Graber; and nephew, Kevin Hoekstra.