Alma Grabow, died on Nov. 20, 2004. Born in Fort Collins, to Rev. Johann and Kathryn Erbes, she was raised in Nebraska through the teachings of both school and church. In 1942 she married Henry C. Grabow, M.D. in Hartford, Conn. Several years later, they moved to Cañon City and raised three daughters.

Above all things, family and God dominated Mrs. Grabow’s life. For most of 60-plus years, the Grabows were active members at the United Presbyterian Church, always promoting, participating, organizing and supporting its teachings and activities.

When her daughters were growing up, Mrs. Grabow played the same roles in their activities: 4H, Girl Scouts, music and school events. For her grandchildren, she became summertime and after-school babysitter as well as an avid spectator at many sporting events. Dr. and Mrs. Grabow continued to enrich their own bonds through their mutual interests in medicine, golf, bridge, music and society.

Mrs. Grabow was also a woman of many talents and was known particularly for her musical gifts. She began singing at her father’s church as a young girl with dreams of joining the opera. Though her life goals later turned to medicine and welfare, Mrs. Grabow received formal voice training at the University of Nebraska. For nearly 50 years, she was a lead soloist for the United Presbyterian Church and was often featured at other Southern Colorado community events. She will be remembered for her powerful soprano voice that reached the rafters and that tricky high C.

As a product of the Great Depression, Mrs. Grabow believed in the power of education and considered herself a life-long learner. At an early age, she taught English as a second language to support her parents and older brother who was in medical school. Later she graduated with Honors from the University of Nebraska - School of Nursing. Then, due to the shortage of nurses caused by the war, she taught nursing and health aide classes in Rhode Island, Nebraska, and Colorado.

Her continued scholarly interests led Mrs. Grabow to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Southern Colorado, which she put to use when she served on the Colorado Child Welfare Board for five years (one year as Chair) and on the County Welfare Board for 12 years. Additionally, she worked with her husband to establish a mental health clinic, now known as the West Central Mental Health Center. And believing in the strength of a good education upon a person’s well being, Mrs. Grabow promoted the development of College of the Canyons by serving as its Director for seven years.

In 2000, Mrs. Grabow moved to Connecticut to live with her eldest daughter and family.

Mrs. Grabow is survived by three daughters and their families: Alma and Bob Elder, and their son Rob; Georgia and John Smithdo and her children Mollie and Hank Stallman, and Jerre and Greg Morton and her daughters Kari Sortland and Kristen Jones.

Canon City Daily Record 12/22/04