Lena Grahmann Grafe, 104, of Hallettsville passed away on December 1, 2013. At her death, Lena was the oldest parishioner of Sacred Heart Church and possibly the oldest resident of Hallettsville.

Lena was born on September 23, 1909 in Hallettsville, Texas to Theo and Mary Leopold Grahmann. She was the oldest of nine children. She was baptized on September 25, 1909 at St. Mary's Church.

The family lived on a farm and her father farmed and worked as a carpenter. Lena attended school at Pagel Settlement and at Sacred Heart School, but quit at an early age to help at home. Her father died at age 41 of complications from a ruptured appendix when his youngest child was eight weeks old. Lena was only 15 years old and unable to do the hard work of farming, so she was sent to Houston to work to help pay for the farm.

Lena married Victor Grafe on June 23, 1931, at Sacred Heart Church in Hallettsville. In 1936 Victor and Lena bought a farm one mile north of Hallettsville where they raised their family. Victor worked at various jobs until 1937 when he went into business for himself as Grafe's Place buying cream from the farmers and selling ice cream, candy and other confections.

Victor and Lena had 6 children, Dorothy, Elizabeth Mary (who died in infancy), Ervin, Mary Jane (Sr. Emiliana), Anthony and David. Lena and Victor valued education and all five children graduated from Sacred Heart School which their parents and grandparents had attended.

Lena worked very hard all her life but never complained. Lena was a thrifty person, able to make do with whatever she had. She was a good cook and canned enough vegetables from her garden to give to her children. Victor died in 1977 and Lena continued to live at home until age 98. She began making pieced quilts for her children and grandchildren, baby quilts for her great-grandchildren and then embroidered crib quilts for the Christian Mothers Society. Lena believed in being busy and useful, and always working to make the best of any situation.

In 2008 when a deteriorated hip made it impossible for her to continue living at home, she moved to Hallettsville Rehab and Nursing where she lived out the rest of her days.

Lena is survived by her daughters, Dorothy Bujnoch and Sister Emiliana Grafe; sons, Ervin Grafe and wife Mary Rose, Tony Grafe and Diane, David Grafe and wife Pam; 11 grandchildren: Kathy Parsons, Ken Bujnoch and wife Margaret, Marilyn Lacey and husband Tony, Linda Shook and husband Allen, Gerald Grafe and wife Lynda, Tricia Murphy and husband Dennis, Darrell Grafe and wife Melanie, Michael Grafe, Amy Grafe, Patrick Grafe and wife Sheena, and Michelle Grafe Bay; 20 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. She is survived by one sister, Agatha Castecka, and a sister-in-law, Viola (Mrs. Victor) Grahmann.

Lena was preceded in death by her husband Victor, one daughter, Elizabeth Mary, one grandson Keith Grafe, one son-in-law George Bujnoch, her parents Theo and Mary L Grahmann, four sisters: Antoinette (who died in infancy), Elizabeth Eilers, Margaret Eilers and Rose Grafe, and three brothers: Alphonse, Victor and Ervin Grahmann.

Lena Grafe was a strong and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She saw many changes in her 104 years but always remained strong in her faith, in her concern for her family and in her determination to be productive. She will always live in the hearts of her children, grandchildren, extended family and community who are grateful for her love and strong example of a life well lived.

Funeral Mass Service: 1 pm, Saturday, December 7, 2013 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville.
Visitation: 4 pm, Friday, at Kubena Funeral Home.
Rosary: 7 pm, Friday, at Kubena Funeral Home.
Officiants: Bishop Charles V. Grahmann, Msgr. John Peters, Rev. Brian Eilers, Rev. Daniel Danso, and Rev. Tommy Chen.
Pallbearers: Ken Bujnoch, Gerald Grafe, Darrell Grafe, Michael Grafe, Patrick Grafe (grandsons), Tony Lacey, Allen Shook, and Dennis Murphy (grandsons-in-law).
Honorary Pallbearers: Kathy Parsons (granddaughter), Victor Gerald Grafe III, Zach Grafe, Michael Lacey, Patrick Lacey, Ryan Shook, and Gideon Grafe (great grandsons).
Memorials: Victor Grafe Memorial Scholarship Fund for Sacred Heart School, Hospice of South Texas or donor's choice.
Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.