Minnie Graff
October 19, 1930 ~ September 5, 2010
Minnie G. Graff, 79, passed away September 5, 2010 at Innovis Hospital, Fargo under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.
Minnie was born on October 19, 1930 to Charles U. and Mary (Rogers) Brantner at the family farm near Georgetown, Minnesota and graduated from Borup High School in 1948. She worked for Bell Telephone for several years in Fargo, ND before her marriage to Wallace (Wally) Graff on May 14th, 1950 at Grace Lutheran Church in Fargo. They lived on the family farm near Kindred, ND and raised three children. Minnie and Wally worked together as a team on the family farm raising livestock and grain crops. She was actively involved with Sunday School in the Gol Lutheran Church and was an avid sports fan with Wally and supporter of her children in whatever their endeavors were at the time. She was also active as a volunteer at Dakota Hospital and a volunteer for the Kindred Ambulance Service for numerous years. Minnie moved off the family farm in February of 2008 to the Senior Cooperative Living Center in West Fargo, ND and lived there until she became ill. Minnie is survived by her three children: Steven (Cindy) Graff, Broadus, MT., Terry (Linda) Graff, Sabin, MN and Tammy Graff, Brooklyn Park, MN. She had 6 grandsons, 4 granddaughters, 4 great grandsons, and 6 great granddaughters. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Beverly Thompson, CA and Margie Brantner, Moorhead, MN, numerous nieces and nephews and their families, and many, many dear friends including special friend Cheryel Larson of Brooklyn Park, MN, Mary and Gary Geller of Fargo, ND and Paul and Miranda Muscha who now live on the family farm. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Wally, her parents and 14 brothers and sisters and numerous friends and relatives.
In lieu of flowers the family would request that memorials be given in her honor to the Hospice of the Red River Valley who were unbelievably compassionate and caring during her brief illness. The family also thanks the wonderful doctors and nurses at Innovis Hospital on the fourth floor that cared for her, her family and friends with unbelievable humor, concern, and compassion.
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Glyndon MnWe are saddened by the loss of Minnie She was one of Mike favorite aunts and always made him laugh with her stories. We will miss her. Our thoughts and prayers are with Steve, Terry, Tammy and their families.
Love Mike and Lynn Brantner
Pelican Rapids MN
Peggy called me and told me that Minnie had died, and that the obituary was in the Fargo Forum. Since then,I have had many memories of Minnie and Wally that have made me smile.
I thought about what good hearts they had and how kind and accepting they were of the people in their lives and all of their idiosyncrasies. Minnie could give you that “it isn’t right” speech and really chew on you, but you always knew the love was behind the anger. (Wally would just listen and nod as needed and wait until she said her piece.) They were good, heard-working, salt-of-of the earth people.
I loved how she liked those big cars I was hardly tall enough to see out the front windows! She knew how to have a good time, and once in a while I have to order myself a CC half/7-up/half sour and give her a toast.
I remember being introduced to deer hunting, Minnie style. We got up at a reasonable time, took a thermos of coffee, and went and sat in lawn chairs in the yard, facing the direction from which we could hear shots. A nice deer came out of the woods, she blasted it, and we were done. If I remember right, the guys hadn’t had any luck that morning when they came in for some food and coffee.
She taught me how to mend jeans. I remember my husband being so impressed that I could out-do his mom and grandma in keeping those work jeans going. I know she felt that the Swedish sewing machine was part of the magic!
I was always impressed by how Minnie inspired such loyalty from a series of family dogs. If Wally or the kids weren’t around, they would be in front of the door, protecting her from any perceived threats. One time when I was out at the farm and wandered down in the pasture, one dog (a Blue Heeler) went into the middle of the yard where he could see me and still keep an eye on the house. I think he was annoyed that he felt he had to divide his attentions away from her!
The whole Graff clan passed on their love of horses to the Knuteson girls. I remember how excited Minnie was when we showed her photos of Peaches’ colt. We always figured that Steve did well to bring that horse back from Montanta. We enjoyed her until she was 29 years old Minnie loved that fact.
One time I had been with Minnie when we visited the Brantner home farm she showed me around the house and told me how many kids fit in how many beds in that house. She knew and appreciated the hard work and sacrifice that her parents made to rear their large family in tough times. I think if she was discouraged in her own life at times, that family courage was always an example to her.
I know that it was hard on her to leave the farm, and she told me how understanding and kind that Paul and Miranda were, and how it made her happy that it still stayed within the family.
I also know that Wally was anxiously waiting for her as she went on before us, and they will both be waiting for the rest of us to come later. How lucky I have been to have known them.
With love to all of the Graff clan,
Kathy
South Sioux City NEMy Favorite Aunt Minnie and godmother. Enjoyed staying at the farm in the “land of dixie”, deer season, chokecherry picking, and having my horse there to ride! (roller skating..not..) Love and Prayers to my three cousins and their loved ones. Kay
My deepest sympathies to Tammy and family on the passing of Minnie. She was a great woman and will be greatly missed.
Alta Loma CATo Steven, Terry and Tammy and your families. I have many memories of your Mom in my early years-and grieve with you. Please find comfort in the Lord and your memories. You will be with me in prayer and thought. Peggy
Elk RIver MN
Sorry to hear about Minnie passing to be with the angles with no more pain. It is hard. Our Prayers and thought are with your family and friends. Take care