Carol Vergeen Nienaber

Grandma Nienaber Obituary

November 8, 1943 – May 13th 2024

Carol Vergeen Nienaber was born on November 8th, 1943, in Chicago Illinois to the parents of Harold Quinton Graber and Helen Vergeen Burns (Graber). She was the oldest of 6. She grew up on a farm in rural Illinois. Her favorite dog was named Tippy.

She met John C Nienaber Sr in Libertyville IL and the two were united in marriage on April 25th, 1964. When her husband got out of the USMC in 1966 the couple moved to a farm in Sedan MN. Eventually they settled in Garfield MN where they raised two children Christine and John Jr.

She owned and operated her own in-home daycare for 32 years and raised over 150 kids where she was on her 3rd generation of daycare children. Her favorite color was orange. She had many hobbies, one of which she owned her own ceramic shop, genealogy, and scrapbooking. She collected many things over the years including gnomes, cows, elephants, and shells. She was the City Clerk of Garfield and served as an election judge for many years. She was one of the founding members of the Garfield First Responders. She also served on the Garfield Community Club and Garfield Fire Department Auxiliary. Her true love was her pets and traveling with her family and many trips with her siblings. Her favorite music was Elvis and the band Home Free.  

She is survived by her husband for 60 years John Sr, two children Christine (Nienaber) Houck of Garfield MN, John Jr (Carla) Nienaber of Garfield MN. Grandchildren Catie, Asheley (fiancé Logan), Quinton, Breeanna, Mikayla, Daunte and Great Grandchildren Brendin and Joziah. Sisters Linda (Richard), Marcia (Bruce), Karen (Jamie), and Susie and In-laws Marshielle(Daryl), Donny(Jane), Bonnie, beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and many dear friends. She is preceded in death by Harold and Helen Graber, Charles and Lucille Nienaber, her brother Ronald Graber, and in-laws Char and Frank Nelson and Dwayne Nienaber and a set of miscarried twins.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024, 10:00 - 11:00 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Alexandria with a Funeral Service at 11:00 AM at the church.  Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Garfield.