Loretta P. Graham

Loretta, nicknamed “Tootie” for her catchy whistle, was born December 8, 1933, to Harold and Pauline Snavely. She grew up on a farm southwest of Pocahontas, Iowa. Loretta graduated from Pocahontas Public High School in 1951 and was 17 years old. She was so proud to share that she played Guard on the Girls Basketball team….and they went to State. During one game she whistled so loud trying to get the attention of a teammate that the ref gave her a warning that she was competing with his whistle!

After graduation she worked for E. T. Rosenberger at the Pocahontas County Court House for a year. Then, she and Jeanie Schonberger decided to travel to Texas to try their luck at working on a dude ranch: Parde Ranch. They learned many skills but also enjoyed the swimming in a natural pool, riding horses, and dealing with rattlesnakes!

After 1 1/2 yrs., they set their sights on Oakland, CA. They worked as waitresses….and met their future husbands, who were stationed at the Air Force Base, at dances they attended. She married Robert Graham on Valentine’s Day……and they had 4 children, Janis, Tom, Keith, and Roger. The Air Force took them to Europe for 3 years. Janis was born in France.

Returning from Europe, they set up a home in Omaha, NE. Loretta became active in Holy Angels and St. Bernard’s parishes. She played on adult basketball leagues.

Then in 1963, Bob’s job took them to Santa Barbara, CA. There she joined the Old Mission Parish; participating in Legion of Mary- making rosaries and taking care of ill parishioners. She also played the guitar for their young people’s mass. She, too, worked as a receptionist at Bishop Garcia Diego High School and then a dental office.

She always missed “home” in Iowa and finally returned in 1974. She began a job as Social Editor for the Pocahontas Record Democrat.

In 1981, she moved to Omaha to be close to her daughter. She worked various secretarial jobs for Temp agency and was led to ENOA. There she visited the home bound. She loved to deliver care for over 10 years.

In 2007, Bob Graham died.

Her hobbies were gardening, bowling, reading, caring for her grandkids, and especially dancing. Peony Park was a favorite spot.



Loretta was preceded in death by her parents; Pauline and Harold Snavely and her brothers; Arthur and Robert Snavely. She is survived by a sister-in-law, Evelyn (Robert) Snavely; brother-in-law, Lowell (Dee) Meier; daughter Jan (David) Peters; sons, Tom (Maryann) Graham, Keith, and Roger Graham; 8 Grandchildren: Doug (Lauren) Peters, Dr. Greg (fiancé Becky Mathine) Peters, Dan (Marisol) Peters, Dr. Chris (Meg) Peters and Corey and Alanna Graham. She has 6 great-grandchildren, many cousins, nephews, nieces.



MEMORIAL MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL Friday, 10:30am at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church with interment of the urn Saturday, 12:00pm at Calvary Cemetery, Pocahontas, IA. MEMORIAL VISITATION with the family begins Thursday, after 5:00pm at the 72nd Street Chapel with a WAKE SERVICE at 7:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to House of Hope Alzheimer’s Care or the Nebraska Humane Society.