Elizabeth (Liz) Rae Hubbard Grav

Elizabeth (Liz) Rae Hubbard Grav was born October 28, 1946, in Sioux Falls, SD, to Ray and Ruth (Stransky) Hubbard. She graduated from Washington Senior High School in 1964. 

Liz graduated from Presentation College in Aberdeen, SD with a degree in Respiratory Therapy. In 1965, Liz began her career at Sioux Valley Hospital (later Sanford Hospital), in the respiratory therapy department. Liz was instrumental in the foundation of the Sleep Disorders Center at the hospital and was the director of that department for many years. In 2010, Liz retired from Sanford Hospital following a 45-year career. 

On June 20, 1965, Liz was united in marriage to Deane Grav. The couple established their home in Sioux Falls, where they worked and started their family. They were blessed with two sons, Matthew, and Andrew. As a family, they enjoyed traveling and camping throughout the United States. In 1985, they enthusiastically welcomed their bonus daughter, Adriana Ferreira, of Brazil, through the Rotary Exchange program. Liz and Deane were blessed to remain close to Adriana and her family. They traveled to visit their Brazilian family on more than one occasion. 

Liz found great joy in her family and was dedicated to enriching their lives in any way she could. Liz’s famous whistle of support was her way of cheering on her kids and grandkids at their sporting, dance, or music events. She was a consummate hostess. Liz loved gathering with friends and family for the holidays, planning birthday parties, and spending time with her wine club. She enjoyed hosting small or large events and could always find a reason to have a get-together. She loved needlecrafts, flowers, gardening, collecting dolls, seasonal decorating, traveling, and her family. 

While in Sioux Falls, Liz was a member of First Presbyterian Church, El Riad Shrine Wives, and the Dakota Doll Club. Liz and Deane moved to Sun Lakes, Arizona, in 2015. Liz and Deane joined the Sun Lakes Methodist Church where Liz was an active member of the crafters group and where they met many cherished friends. 

On April 4, 2024, Liz died following a courageous, two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Liz was also a breast cancer survivor and participated in breast cancer studies at the Susan G. Koman Foundation. 

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband of 58 years, Deane Grav, Sun Lakes, AZ; sons, Matt and his wife, Dorien, Austin, MN; Andy and his fiancé, Cheryl, Sun Lakes, AZ; three grandchildren, Amanda (Kaleb) Brown, Iowa City, IA; Emily (Jake) Pettit, Waterloo, IA; and Nathan Grav, Charleston, SC; great-grandsons, Hayes Pettit and Jerrimiah Brown; exchange daughter, Adriana (Sergio) Oliveira and her children Victor, Arthur, and Igor, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; brother-in-law, Dick Flemmer; and a host of other relatives and friends. Liz was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Ruth, and her sister, Margaret Flemmer.