Our beloved mother, Barbara Ann Graf, 84, of Billings, passed peacefully into the presence of her Lord and Savior on January 7, 2023, while residing at The Springs at Butte. Mom was born in the spring of 1938 in Billings, the second of three daughters of Arnold Henry Graf and Evelyn Lewis Graf. She attended Billings schools, graduating from Billings High School in 1956 and Eastern Montana University in 1963 and 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling respectively. Mom was credentialed as a National Certified Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor in Montana, and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.
Mom’s child-rearing days took her from Billings to Big Piney, WY; Pocatello, ID; Great Falls, MT; Kalispell, MT, and even Newhall, CA before eventually moving back to her hometown of Billings. Throughout her lifetime, mom participated in many service-oriented activities, including doing volunteer work for the Montana Council on Problem Gambling, American Red Cross, and prison ministry.
Although mom retired from a highly esteemed career working for the Montana Department of Corrections and as a rehabilitation counselor for Alternatives, Inc. Pre-Release Center in Billings, her biggest pride and joy in life were her children. She never missed an opportunity to be an empathetic listener, wise advisor, staunch advocator, gentle encourager, and trusted friend. Birthdays and holidays were always extra special for us kids, as mom delighted in expressing her love through thoughtful gift giving and sharing memorable traditions like decorating homemade sugar cookies with frosting and sprinkles at Christmastime. The Lord blessed mom with multiple talents; she was a gifted artist (both painting and drawing), pianist, ballroom dancer, seamstress, and teacher. In later years, mom engaged in family genealogy research and, with great pride, completed the nomination process to add her home, designed and built by her father, to the National Register of Historic Places.
Being a voracious reader, particularly of Christian and nonfiction books, mom enjoyed sharing her thorough knowledge of Scripture by teaching Bible studies for 45 years! In fact, mom’s ultimate gift to us, the living example of her steadfast faith, was instrumental in all three of us kids accepting Christ and nurturing a strong faith of our own. Our ultimate gift to mom is to relinquish her back to our loving creator who has graciously appointed all our times, for we have every confidence that we will reunite and rejoice together for all eternity in the Lord’s presence.
Mom is survived by her children, Wendy (Hisao) Watanabe of Springfield, OR; Kevin (Michone) Stewart of Butte, MT; Mary (Rick) Carfagna of Petersham, MA; 10 grandchildren: Vanya, Samuel, Paula, Sean, Matt, Leah, Mike, Adam, Emi, Aria; seven great-grandchildren; sister, Linda Graf, of Seward, AK; former husband and father of Kevin and Mary, Patrick Nihill, of Georgetown, TX; numerous extended family members and friends; and best canine buddy Rudy.
Mom was preceded in death by her firstborn child, Brian Huber; parents, Arnold and Evelyn Graf; sister, Gretchen Riemann; and first husband and father of Brian and Wendy, Wayne Huber.
While no funeral service is currently scheduled, a memorial service will be announced at a future date, and interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Hardin. Memorial donations may be made to Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter, near to mom’s heart, or the charity of your choice.
The family thanks The Springs at Butte staff and hospice aides for their kindness, attentive care, and expertise during the last year of mom’s life.
To send online condolences to the family, please visit https://www.weremember.com.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services is privileged to care for Barbara and her family.
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