Carl "Herschel" Graber, 81, of Grand Island died Sunday, January 18, 2015 at Golden Living Park Place in Grand Island.A Celebration of Life Service will be 7:00 PM Monday, January 26, 2015, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Grand Island with Karla Sheffy officiating.  Memorials may be directed to Trinity United Methodist Church, Stuhr Museum, or donor's choice.

Carl "Herschel" was born August 20, 1933 in Stuart, NE to Carl Herman and Rozella (Anderson) Graber. He attended school in Burwell and Ravenna; graduating from Holdrege High School in 1951. He went on to attend the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and received his Bachelor of Science in Botany in 1955 and his Masters of Science Degree in Botany in 1958.

Herschel had a diverse variety of jobs and activities during his life. He taught plant science courses at Nebraska Wesleyan University from 1962-1964. He spent 5 years as a quality control chemist at the Cornhusker Army Ordnance Plant in Grand Island. From 1972 until 1982, he was camera department manager at Lumbard-Leschinsky Studio in Grand Island. He entered the U.S. Army in June 1957, and was honorably discharged June 1963. Herschel worked and volunteered in many different capacities at Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer. He also had a love of reading and books, and worked as a page at the Edith Abbott Memorial Library.

Other hobbies and interests included his love of music. He played bass horn in the UNL Marching Band and other area bands. Herschel sang in the Trinity United Methodist Church Choir, All-American Singers, and Grand Island City Singers. He was active in Grand Island Little Theater, and was named to their Hall of Fame. Photography was one of his talents, and he won several awards. He participated in and also photographed Civil War re-enactments for many years. He was active in Third City Kiwanis and served several terms as president.

Herschel is survived by sister: Gladys "Elise" Baldwin; nephews: Carl "Edward" Baldwin, Mike Baldwin, and Don Baldwin all of Grass Valley, CA; and a multitude of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and nephew: Ronald Baldwin.

A Celebration of Life Service will be 7:00 PM Monday, January 26, 2015, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Grand Island with Karla Sheffy officiating.Memorials may be directed to Trinity United Methodist Church, Stuhr Museum, or donor's choice.