Obituary of Lillian Annette Grabke

Lillian Annette Grabke

December 6, 1937 – February 3, 2019

Lillian Annette Grabke passed into the presence of her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ on Sunday, February 3, 2019 at the age of 81.

She was predeceased by her husband, Rev. Richard E. Grabke; an infant daughter; her parents, Frank and Martha Ziolkowski; her sister Viola Breitkreuz; her brother Reuben Ziolkowski; and her foster grandson Joshua Wheatley.

Lillian is survived and will be deeply missed by her daughter Glenda (Ardon) Rosom of Regina and their children Shayne (Alyssa) Rosom and their sons Lincoln and Oakley of Lindsay, Ontario and Austin (Kenzie) Rosom of Regina, Saskatchewan; her son Sheldon (Xiao) Grabke and their children Emerson, Jocelyn and Danielle of Toronto; and her foster daughter Billie (Tom) Simmons and her children Shannon (Justin) Barksdale and their children Caden, Sophia and Abby, Christina (Loren) Killgore and their sons Greyson and Benjamin, Brittany (Matt) Cates and their son Carson, Cortney, and Joey all of the Seattle, Washington area.

Lillian is also survived by her brother Erwin (Margaret) Ziolkowski of Regina; and her sisters, Ardice Powell of Sioux Falls, SD, Verna Peter, Artrude Doell, and Gerry (Don) Smailes all of Edmonton, AB; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Lillian was born on December 6, 1937 at Lemberg, SK and grew up in the Orcadia-Yorkton area.  She trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour at the age of 10 and was active in Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. Lillian graduated as a registered nurse from the Regina General Hospital in 1959 and married Richard Grabke that same year.  She worked as a nurse in several hospitals and also as a Home Care Nurse in Drumheller, AB and Yorkton, SK Health districts.  

Lillian served faithfully and enthusiastically as a pastor’s wife alongside her husband as they served 10 churches, showing hospitality and serving in Women’s Missionary Fellowship, teaching children and youth, visiting seniors, the sick and shut-ins, as well as singing in the church choir. For many years, Lillian was a facilitator of Griefshare support groups along with Richard, as well as after his death. She shared love and kindness to everyone she met and faithfully prayed for so many of her friends and loved ones.

Lillian enjoyed sewing, cooking, scrapbooking, and gardening. She enjoyed showing hospitality and always had something in the freezer for unexpected company. She took special joy in her great-grandchildren and began to refer to herself as GGG (great-grandma Grabke).

A Service to Celebrate Lillian’s Life will be held at Faith Baptist Church, 437 Broadway Avenue E., Regina, SK on Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Faith Baptist Church, or the Gideons. We would like to thank the healthcare workers who lovingly cared for mom during the time of her declining health.  Praise the Lord, she is finally Home!