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Graber's willow baskets |
LeRoy Graber
German-Russian Willow Basketry
LeRoy Graber of Freeman is a well-known South Dakota
traditional artist who has taught a number of apprentices over the years in both
South and North Dakota.
LeRoy carries on a craft that was brought
to this country over 125 years ago by his grandfather Jacob, a German from
Russia, who was seeking freedom to practice his Mennonite faith. Willow baskets
were a necessity for carrying and storing all sorts of things, from farm produce
to clothes.
When LeRoy was about ten, he showed an interest in his
grandfather’s work, and was told, “LeRoy, you’re old enough to do this.”
“That was more of a command than a suggestion,” LeRoy recalls, so he sat
down with Jacob and learned the intricacies of gathering, preparing and weaving
willows.
LeRoy has taught a number of apprentices this rare art
form. In 2001-2002, it was Lori Wood, a woman from Sioux Falls who sought him
out because of her interest in traditional hand crafts. And in 2002-2003 it was
his son Kim Graber, who was never particularly interested in basketry when he
was growing up, but recently has come to realize the importance of the tradition
in his family.
Kim and LeRoy also started a willow patch at Kim’s farm,
rooting cuttings of different kinds of local willows so they will have easier
access to basket materials.
In 2004-2005, LeRoy worked with two apprentices from Parkston, Helen Wuertzer and her daughter-in-law
Michelle Wuertzer. He first met the
Wuertzer family when they heard he was looking for basket willows and
suggested he come look at the stands of willows growing on their property
along the James River. A friendship developed and the Wuertzers were then
able to formalize an apprenticeship with LeRoy, since they have a
long-standing interest in willow basketry. Helen’s husband Larry also joined
the work sessions and made several baskets himself.
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Larry Wuertzer, LeRoy Graber, Michelle Wuertzer
and Helen Wuertzer with baskets they made during the apprenticeship.
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Some of the baskets the Wuertzer
family made while working with master LeRoy Graber.
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