Jean Margaret Graber, 71, passed away suddenly on Sunday, November 19, 2017. She was born on April 23, 1946, in the Meade area to Alfred Eugene 'Gene' and Velma (McCollom) Harris.

At the age of six, Jean contracted polio. She was hospitalized in Hutchinson and spent several weeks in an iron lung. Although she faced life-long medical challenges and physical limitations as a result of polio, Jean always said her parents expected the best from her so she lived her life to the fullest. Jean was active in Meade County 4-H and school activities including vocal music, band and speech. After graduating from Meade High School, she wanted to attend college. Her dad and a local mechanic specially equipped a car so she might drive as other college students. It was then off to Wichita where she attended the Institute of Logopedics and Wichita State University. Jean accepted her first teaching position at Kingman Elementary as a Title I Reading and Math Specialist. In her first semester of teaching, another teacher introduced her to his cousin, Curtis Graber. They were married on July 25, 1969, and moved to his farm near Pretty Prairie. For 38 years, she drove each day from Pretty Prairie to Kingman for her job. Over the years, Jean worked with thousands of children. Following her retirement in 2005, Jean assisted in forming the Central Kansas Post-Polio Survivors Support Group. The group's mission is to provide support, stay informed, emphasize the importance of vaccination, and to leave a legacy for coming generations educating them about polio and related disabilities. She was featured in a recent article in the Wichita Eagle that can be found at www.kansas.com/news/local/article184005646.html . Jean was active in the New Jerusalem Church as Sunday School Superintendent and a member of the Women's Study Group. For over 25 years, she wrote and directed Christmas plays for the children of the church.

Jean is survived by: husband, Curtis of the home; sister, Sue Harris (Ron Pulsifer) of Kingman; children, Debbie Adams of Hutchinson and Ron Graber (Debbie) of rural Hutchinson; grandchildren, Travis Graber (Jaimie) of Farley, IA, Lindsay Runft (Cody) of Braymer, MO, Taylor Graber of Wichita, Carly Sanchez (Derick) of Hutchinson; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by: her parents; son, Alan Graber; and brother in-law, Kenton Graber.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, November 25, 2017, at the Pretty Prairie Middle School auditorium, 101 S. Maple, Pretty Prairie, with the Reverend Jane Siebert officiating. Burial will follow in Lone Star Cemetery, Pretty Prairie. A dinner for family and friends will follow in the Pretty Prairie High School cafeteria. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with family present from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorials may be made to New Jerusalem Church or Central Kansas Post-Polio Survivors Support Group, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.