Walter Graf
MERRIFIELD - Walter William Graf, resident of Merrifield, died Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at his home.
Walter was born on Jan. 3, 1925, at his home in the Split Hank Lake area east of Grand Rapids to Joe and Flora Graf. In 1943, Walt graduated from the Grand Rapids High School "Indians." At that time he started work for McDonald Construction Co., Wally continued working 40 more years for him. He was a 60-year member of the Carpenters Union. Walt met Juanita Lougee due to his carpenter job and married her on Dec. 9, 1944. Together they built a house in Grand Rapids. Their second home was built by Juanita's families' Log Home, the third home was built in 1950 in Ossipee about one mile from Lougee Lake. Walter's main hobbies were gardening, going to garage sales, fishing, wreath making and picking anything - berries, rocks, etc. Walt and Juanita donated land to the Ossipee Community Church where Walter was a charter member. He also taught Sunday school for over 25 years and was active on the board and served as Sunday school superintendent.
Walter is survived by his wife, of 64 years, Juanita; his children, Jerry (Karen) Graf, Sharon (John) Leek, Jack (Kim) Graf; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Bob; and sister, Trudy.
He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Al and Norm, and his sister, Esther.
Services will be held 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2009, at the Ossipee Community Church in Merrifield. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Brainerd. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday at the Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd and will continue the hour before services at the church on Saturday.
Arrangements by Nelson-Doran Funeral Home, Brainerd.