Ernest F. Grater

Ernest F. Grater, age 95 of Leonardville, passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at the Leonardville Nursing Home. He was born on September 26, 1920 in Northern Riley County, Kansas, the son of Friedrich and Caroline (Weidner) Grater. On September 26, 1941, he was married to Marjorie Jean (Blaske). She survives at the Leonardville Nursing Home. He was a cattleman and truck driver. He served on the school board member for Grandview School and the church council for Walsburg Lutheran Church, where he was a member. He loved to read newspapers, farm magazines and western novels and enjoyed going to livestock sales. In addtion to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Ron Grater and Peggy of Leonardville and Russell Grater and Karen of Riley; two daughters, Jan Machin of Riley and Jeannette Pultz and David of Leonardville; one sister, Erna Hass and Klaus of Keats; one daughter-in-law, Delores Grater of Leonardville; two sister-in-laws, Reva Grater of Clay Center and Barbara Grater of Brainerd, Minnesota; ten grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Dennis Grater; two brothers, Arnold and Eldon Grater; two sisters and brother-in-laws, Pauline Thomas and William and Helena Staley and Bill and one son-in-law, John Machin. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Monday, October 5, 2015 at the Walsburg Lutheran Church with Rev. Keith Wiens and Rev. D. Erich Schwartz officiating. Respect calls may be made anytime Sunday at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home in Riley. The family will receive friends from 3 until 5:00 P.M. Sunday. Burial will be in the Grandview-Mill Creek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the Leonardville Nursing Home and Walsburg Lutheran Church. Contributions may be left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home. Condolences may be left for the family www.pfeifleyfuneralhome.com.