Memorial
Barbara Ann Wright Graichen, 94 of Cedar Rapids died Sunday February 17, 2019 at the Mercy Hospice House in Hiawatha. Funeral services at 11:00 AM on Tuesday at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories where friends may call after 10:00 AM until service time at 11:00. Burial at Oak Hill Cemetery. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Barbara Ann Wright Graichen born May 26, 1924 to Dorothy Schindel Wright and Marvin Wright.
Barbara attended Johnson Grade School, Franklin Jr. High, graduated from Mt. Mercy Academy in 1942, attended Mt. Mercy College for one year. In 1944 Barbara married Merlyn E (Lynn) Rowley after he received his Navy wings graduating in Corpus Christi, Texas as a bomber pilot commissioned an Ensign. He spent over a year in the South Pacific.
Barbara and Lynn raised a family of four sons and one daughter. In February 26/27,1966 their eldest son, 19 years old, died in a tragic auto accident on East Post Rd. The couple was divorced in 1970. In 1974 Barbara met and married William James (Jim) Graichen originally from Amana. They were so very happy for 38 years. He passed away Dec 9, 2011. A friend said when Barb & Jim walked into a room heads turned and you feel the love. They were a striking couple, extremely happy.
Barbara was a member of the Cedar Rapids Country Club for many years. Her grandfather, John Harbaugh Schindel, was one of the founders. She also for many years was a member of the Cedar Rapids Junior League. Her mother, Dorothy Schindel Wright was a charter member of the League. During WWII she joined the Red Cross and the C.R. USO. Barbara had a lovely singing voice and from a little girl always wanted to be a singer. She loved to write short stories, prose, poems. There are many envelopes and notebooks full of her writings.
Preceding her in death was her son Marvin Wright (Skipper) Rowley, her husband William James (Jim) Graichen, her parents and her beloved miniature sheltie Lacee - our little angel.
Survivors include her children Kim, Barbara Lynn, David Deming and Daniel E, step daughter Linda Durfey, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her son, Dan has been special in Barbara’s life, very caring and very supportive.
Memorials to Cedar Valley Humane Society to keep up the beautiful cemetery where the Graichens’ have their dogs buried.