Friends remember ‘saintly woman’ as Fairfield honor slain teacher

FAIRFIELD – Fairfield High School hosted a candlelight vigil Friday night to honor a beloved teacher who died earlier that week in what authorities believe was a homicide.

Students recalled fond memories of their Spanish teacher, Nohema Graber, who had worked at the school since 2012. Fairfield High School sophomore Kaylee Schafer had Graber for Spanish I, and said all the students at the school were shaken by her death.

“She was really nice, and cared about everybody,” Schafer said. “She made Spanish class fun.”

FHS English and speech teacher Fred Hucke wrote a song to honor Graber, which he sang at the vigil. A few lines in the song go as follows:

She smelled like flowers

Bright scarves were her fashion

Spanish-speaking cultures

Were her greatest passion

Near the end of the vigil, Hucke invited the members of the crowd to share photographs and memories of Graber at the Fairfield Public Library, which converted its display on the Mexican Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) holiday into an altar to honor Graber.

The Rev. Nick Adam of St. Mary Catholic Church gave a tribute to Graber. Adam noted that Graber attended mass every day, including both the Saturday night and Sunday morning masses. He told the crowd gathered outside the high school that Graber was looking down on them from heaven.

“The faith she shared will not leave us,” Adam said.

Adam mentioned how Graber was anxious to help as a Spanish interpreter whenever the church needed one.

Maria Jimenez, a close friend of Graber’s, said everyone in the local Hispanic community considered Graber a part of their family. She spoke about how excited Graber was to learn Jimenez was going to college to become a teacher, and that one day she might take on Graber’s role as a Spanish teacher at the high school. Jimenez said Día de los Muertos will never be the same without Graber.

FHS students were dismissed from class at 9:30 a.m. Thursday. Schafer said they were not told why at the time, but when they learned that it was because Graber had died, “our hearts all dropped,” she said.

FHS junior Elizabeth Hootman said one of her favorite memories of Graber was when she told the class one Friday that they could get out of doing normal classroom work if they put on a talent show. Hootman and a friend sang the song “Remember Me,” which they had translated into Spanish for the occasion.

“She expected a lot out of us, but always helped when we asked,” Hootman said. “If we didn’t do our homework, she would say, ‘Ay, you didn’t study!’”

FHS student Elizabeth Snelling said Graber was “an incredible lady” who was one of the kindest people she knew.

“She always talked to us in the hallway and made us feel welcome,” Snelling said.

FHS student Erin Epperson said Graber was passionate about her native country of Mexico. She cared about every student in her class, Epperson said, and helped them grow.

Epperson mentioned that Graber took an interest in the students’ extra-curricular activities, always attending their concerts and plays. The next day after a concert or performance, she had the students sign a program so she would have their autograph “when we became famous.”

FHS student Ryan Higgins said Graber was a woman of many phrases. For instance, after giving a big assignment, she wanted the students to know that she wasn’t trying to be mean, so she’d recite the phrase “peace and love.”

Friends react

Gerry Garles, a close friend of Graber’s who knew her through St. Mary Catholic Church in Fairfield, said Graber brought her many laughs and joyful memories.

“Her playful smile always revealed her tender heart,” Garles said. “She quietly went about the business of loving.”

Karen Crossland, another friend of Graber’s from St. Mary, said she was heartbroken to learn of her passing.

“I feel so blessed to have known this saintly woman,” Crossland said. “This is when we rely on our faith to see us through. Knowing that she is in paradise with our heavenly Father and Our Lady of Guadalupe gives me great peace. I will miss her deeply, and can’t imagine the heartbreak her family is experiencing.”

Sister Meg Earsley helped lead the St. Mary Catholic Church’s choir, which Graber was a member of.

“She was a dedicated member of the choir, and I really enjoyed her presence,” Earsley said. “She sang soprano, and had a beautiful voice. She was very kind, and taught us how to sing ‘Silent Night’ in Spanish.”

Earsley moved away from Fairfield about four years ago to become a religious sister, but she and Graber stayed in touch.

“She sent me notes here and there to remind me that she’s praying for me,” Earsley said. “Just last week when I was on my way to go to Costa Rica with some family, she reminded me to practice my Spanish, because she knows I’m going to spend time in Bolivia next year.”

Taniya Hallman, a friend of Graber’s who sang with her in St. Mary’s choir and who carpooled to work with her, said she will cherish her memories of Graber.

“She reached out to help, driving me to Ottumwa every day for three months while I student taught there, because I didn’t have a license or a car,” Hallman said. “I was new to the country, and she made me feel welcome. We developed a strong personal bond through long chats in the car. She always asked about my family back home and how they were doing. She genuinely cared about everyone in her life.”

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a statement Friday saying her heart goes out to the family, friends, colleagues and students who are dealing with Graber’s loss.

“Ms. Graber touched countless children’s lives through her work as an educator across our state by sharing her passion of foreign language,” Reynolds said. “I am confident through the work of our dedicated law enforcement that justice will prevail.”

Mike Beranek, president of the Iowa State Education Association, said “our hearts are broken” over the news of Graber’s death.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family, friends, and her colleagues,” Beranek said. “An act like this is unspeakable, and we are torn that one of our education family is a victim to such a senseless act.”

Fairfield Schools Superintendent Laurie Noll issued a statement Thursday saying the district was saddened by the tragic death of its longtime teacher.

“In her nine years with Fairfield High School, Mrs. Graber touched the lives of many students, parents and staff,” Noll said. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Mrs. Graber. At this time, our students’ and staffs’ well-being is our top priority. As a community, we will remain united in this time of tragedy.”