Kathleen Gralheer

Kathleen Faye (Meyer) Gralheer, 74, of Pender, Nebraska passed away Monday, February 13, 2017 at her home in Pender. Funeral services will be Friday, February 17, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Pender; Pastor Beverly Rautenberg-Panko will be officiating. The visitation will be Thursday, February 16, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation. The burial will be at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Cemetery in rural Pender. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender. Kathleen was born July 24, 1942 to Glenville and Hilda (Kratke) Meyer in Pender. She was baptized August 16, 1942 and confirmed May 20, 1956 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Pender. She graduated from Pender High School in 1960.  After graduation she moved to Omaha and worked at Travelers Insurance Company. Kathleen moved back to Pender and married Deree Gralheer on April 18, 1964 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and started their life together on the farm.  In 1983 she went to work for Wenke & Smith Insurance Agency.  She took a big step and opened her own insurance agency in 1986 and continued until 2010 when she retired.  Kathleen was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, St. Mark’s Altar Society, St. Mark’s quilting club, and taught Sunday School for many years. She served on the Legacy Garden Board, Main Street Thriftique, Meals on Wheels, and the Q125 Committee. Kathleen enjoyed her grandchildren and baking with them, trying new recipes, and bowling. She loved being outside golfing, gardening and spending time at the lake. Kathleen is survived by her husband, Deree Gralheer of Pender, NE; sons, Glen Gralheer of Rush City, MN, Gavin (Shelly) Gralheer of Pender, NE; daughters, Linette (John) Butler of Gibbon, NE, Tami (Tim) Linke of Lincoln, NE; sisters, Glenda Hansen of Idaho Springs, CO, Carolyn Meyer of Lincoln, NE; grandchildren, Tyler, Lindsey and Layton Gralheer of Pender, NE, Jackson and Maya Linke of Lincoln, NE, Stephanie (Jeff) McKillop of Land O’Lakes, FL, and Jennifer (Brad) Palu of Kearney, NE; great grandchildren, Juliet McKillop and Harrison Palu; aunt, Betty Simonsen of Pender, NE and several nieces and nephews. Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, Glenville and Hilda Meyer; in-laws, Erwin and Mary Gralheer; brothers-in-law, Marlin Gralheer, Floyd Tonjes, and Roger Hansen.