Obituary For Joel Dean Grauberger
Published May 7, 2022
Joel Dean Grauberger was born November 7, 1943. To Wesley William and Bessie Lucita Elliott Grauberger in Sterling, CO. He was the 5th of 8 children who grew up on the family farm. He helped with the chores and raising the crops. He graduated in 1961 at Sterling High School.
Shortly after on October 20, 1963 he married Judy Median. To this
union 3 children were born. Tammy, Terrie and Tracy (Lee).
He worked several odd jobs. In 1967 he started his career working with the State of Colorado Road Department. He work 31 years as a Foreman/Supervisor. Joel and his family moved many times through out his career. He plowed snow on Wolf Creek pass for many years. One winter he said the snow level was 70 feet. And that was the year the pass was closed due to avalanches. The crew had worked for over 24 hours trying to get the roads open. When the crew returned to the shop they found the snow had caved in the roof of the shop. Which destroyed a new snow plow that was parked inside. That same winter and avalanche came down the mountain and covered Joel's work truck with him inside. The crew was close by and worked to get him out fairly fast.
Joel's children were his pride and joy. For many years after living in Cortez, CO, Saturday mornings the family would join friends at the M&M truck stop to enjoy the fellowship. When the M&M truck stop closed they would meet at Jack & Janelle's Restaurant.
Sadly in 1982 his oldest daughter Tammy went missing for 3 weeks. She was found deceased in a vehicle accident in Hartman Draw. That was one of the most difficult times he endured.
Joel was blessed with 3 Grand children. David, Travis and Kayla. Kayla blessed his life for 9 short months before going to Heaven. All the precious moments with Kayla were treasured so very much!
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After retiring from the State of CO in 1998. Joel worked at the Four Comers Mortuary in Cortez, CO. For 9 years. He would deliver caskets to different places on the reservation. In his spare time you as many know, if someone was in need Joel was there: He loved helping people! He took up the hobby of wood working. It was his dream to work in his shop building out of wood after he retired.
In 2002 Joel & Judy became members of the Montelores Baptist Church.
Once again Joel faced difficult time. In 2011 Judy went to be with the Lord. While Joel was helping a friend bring a trailer from Yuma, AZ he was fascinated with the weather being so nice. So in February he decided to purchase a home in Yuma. So from then he enjoyed the life of being a snowbird. Summers in Cortez, winters in Yuma.
Joel served as Deacon and took pastoral classes. Later he helped start Blessed Bible Church. In 2013 he was ordained into the ministry. A couple years later he helped merge The Blessed Bible Church with Grace Baptist Church south of Cortez. Naming the new church Amazing Grace Bible Church.
On September 13, 2015 Joel married Linda Micheli Bruce. Shortly after they moved permanently to Yuma. The highlight of their lives was attending Mountain View Bible Church and Volunteering with the Legacy Gospel Concerts. He loved the Gospel jams so much.
In April 2021 Joel was diagnosed with stage four liver carcinoma. He was hospitalized in May of 2021. The Doctors. Didn't give any hope for even leaving the hospital. Thanks to the Lord we were blessed with 11 sweet precious months. Visiting the Cancer Center the first time. Joel took Linda's hand. Together we said "Here we are Lord. Walking into the unknown trusting as a child of The King." A complete peace came over us. The best thing we ever did was surrender to the Lord. And allowed the Lord to guide us. As difficult as some of the days were.
There was complete Peace!
Joel was very thankful to be able to attend the Keeper of the Faith concert April 7th• He felt it was a divine appointment.
On April 29, 2022 Joel was promoted to Heaven to be with his Lord & Savior.
Surviving him is his wife Linda and Mother -in-law Wilma Flowers of the family home. Daughter Terry Grauberger Cortez, CO, son Tracy (Lee) Cortez, CO, Step son Tony Roybal (Mallory) Cortez, CO. 9 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren. Brother Willie Grauberger Johns Town, CO, Sisters Ila Scott Loveland CO, Loni Stumpff Newcastle, WY, Dorothy King Berthoud, CO. Many nieces, nephews and extended family.
Preceding him in death his parents Wesley & Bessie Grauberger, wife Judy, daughter Tammy, granddaughter Kayla, Brother Jennings Grauberger, Sisters Crystal Dagley and Jane Schaffer.
Memorial services will be held in Cortez Co at a later date.