Melba L. Griebie, 98, of Hutchinson
Melba L. Griebie, 98, of Hutchinson, died Tuesday, March 8, 2016, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson.
Funeral services were held Saturday, March 12, at New Journey United Church of Christ in Hutchinson, with the Rev. Jill Warner officiating. Sharon Barton was the organist. Congregational hymns were “Fairest Lord Jesus,” “This is My Father’s World” and “On Eagle’s Wings.”
Casket bearers were Dr. Matthew Griebie, Nick Griebie, Mike Nelson, Jennifer Nelson, Elizabeth Lemer and Tina Engstrom.
Interment was in Oakland Cemetery in Hutchinson.
Melba Lois Griebie was born Sept. 23, 1917, in Brownton, the daughter of George and Josephine (Martin) Urbach. She grew up in Brownton, and was confirmed in her faith as a youth in 1930 at the Methodist Church in Brownton. She received her education in Brownton, and graduated with the Brownton High School class of 1936. She furthered her education at the MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis.
On March 27, 1943, she was united in marriage to Grant Leonard Griebie in Minneapolis. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Susan, Rebecca and Matthew. The family resided in Brownton and Chicago, Illinois. They moved to Hutchinson in 1966. The couple shared 58 years of marriage before Mr. Griebie’s death on July 6, 2001.
Mrs. Griebie was a loving wife, mother and homemaker. She was a member of the New Journey United Church of Christ in Hutchinson.
Prior to this, she was a member of the Congregational Church in Brownton, where she taught Sunday school and later served as the Sunday school superintendent. She was involved with the AFS (American Field Service) foreign exchange student program.
Mrs. Griebie enjoyed oil painting, ceramics, cooking and reading. She especially enjoyed reading the daily newspaper and she never missed watching her favorite baseball team, the Minnesota Twins. She had a love for music; she played the piano and organ and sang many solos. She cherished spending time with her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends.
When she needed assistance with her daily care, she became a resident of Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson on July 6, 2009.
She is survived by her children, Susan (Cliff) Smith of Apple Valley, Rebecca (Michael) Nelson of Carroll, Iowa, and Dr. Matthew (Dr. Jeannie) Griebie of Minnetonka; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Smith) Lemer (husband Troy), Tina (Smith) Engstrom (husband Tom), Jennifer Nelson, Anika Nelson, Nick Griebie and Annie Griebie; six great-grandchildren, Noah and Henry Lemer, and David, Joshua, Emily and Alaina Engstrom; many nieces and nephews; other relatives; and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Josephine Urbach; husband, Dr. Grant L. Griebie; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Arrangements were with the Dobratz-Hantge Chapel in Hutchinson. Online obituaries and guest book are available at www.hantge.com.
