Gary Graff
Gary Graff, 74, of Lamberton, died on Monday, April 9, 2018, at the Season Hospice House in Redwood Falls.
Visitation the evening of April 12 and early Friday preceded the funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 13, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lamberton. Pastor Mark Jamison officiated at services. Interment was in the Lamberton Cemetery.
Gary Dale Graff was born on June 11, 1943, to Robert A. and Ethel (Erickson) Graff in Springfield, Brown County, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at Highwater Lutheran Church in rural Lamberton. Gary graduated from Lamberton High School, class of 1961. On May 2, 1964, he was united in marriage to Diane Lavonne Buetow. Gary was very active in the community and served on numerous boards including the Cemetery Association. He was a devoted council member and past president of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Gary was memorable to everyone he met because of his incredible sense of humor and the way he entertained many through country music for 23 years. He sang with various bands at weddings, funerals, public functions, and benefits. He had a great passion for baseball; he played until he was 33 years of age and was an avid Twins fan. Gary had a love for horses as well as a special love for
his children and grandchildren, as they were an important part of his life.
Those who shared his life: wife, Diane; son, Brent (Kelly) Graff; daughters, Constance Irlbeck, and Lori (Dale) Hansen; son-in-law, Scot Irlbeck; seven grandchildren, Dylan (Kaylee) Irlbeck, Kelsey Irlbeck, Keenan Hansen, Drew Hansen, Carli Graff, Cameryn Graff, and Somer Hansen; three great-grandchildren, Aliyah, Braxton, and Cambria Irlbeck; brothers, Bruce (Elona) Graff, and Richard (Joanne) Graff; sister, Shirley Mattison; sisters-in-law, Joyce Graff and Bonnie Graff; along with numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Ethel Graff; daughter, Constance Irlbeck; brothers, Robert Graff Jr. and Roger Graff; sisters, Arliss Quiring and Janice Coulter; brothers-in-law, Donald Quiring, Merle Coulter and Arlo Mattison.
Sturm Funeral Home in Lamberton was entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.
Blessed be his memory.