Anna Kurtz Graves (1863-1933)
(Mrs. Henry Graves)

Mrs. Anna Graves was born August 31, 1863, at Momence, Ill., the daughter of Henry and Johanna Kurtz, one of five sisters, Mary, Augusta, Bertha, Emma and Anna, and two brothers, William and Ernest, all of whom preceded her in death. The early years of her life were spent at the place of her birth.

On April 20, 1881, she was united in marriage with Henry Graves, and for nearly 53 years they traveled life's highway together, happy in a love and trust that drew them nearer and dearer to each other as the years went by. This happy union was blessed with five children, all of whom survive their mother. Her entire married life was spent near Sherburnville, Ill., where faithfully serving their God and diligently applying themselves in farming, they were signally blessed in their labors.

Mrs. Graves was baptized in infancy and in 1885 she was confirmed in St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church. During the later years of her life she attended the Christian church at Sherburnville. She was a woman who made her influence for good felt in the community in which she lived. Always energetic and active, she filled her days with such labors of love as will be gratefully remembered by her sorrowing husband and children. On April 20, 1931, she had the blessed privilege to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. This was a very happy occasion and one to which she looked forward to with great joy.

Gradually growing weaker from an illness which undermined her health, she was able to perform her household duties and happily prepared for the annual homecoming of her family on Christmas day. But God in His great love and wisdom had decreed otherwise, for on Friday morning, Dec. 22nd, she was stricken with an acute illness and at 3 o'clock in the afternoon she passed to her eternal home to spend her Chrstmas with Him who gave the greatest gift of all, having reached the age of 70 years, 3 months and 22 days.

She leaves to mourn her loss, her sorrowing husband, and five children -- Emma, Mrs. Frank Markee; Anna, Mrs. A.F. Mueller; Henry E. Jr.; Hilma, Mrs. Herman Knisely; and Velma, Mrs. Gustave Meyer; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, following a prayer at the home [and] were continued at the Christian church at Sherburnville. She was laid to rest in the cemetery adjoining the church. Services were in charge of Rev. G. Horst, of Beecher, and Rev. George Woodman, of Chicago Heights. O.J. Dahl and daughters, Ruth and Bethel, sang three beautiful songs. Miss Harriet Wason accompanied them at the piano. The large gathering of people and the many beautiful floral offerings testified to the love of all who knew Grandma Graves as she was known by those who knew and loved her.