Theodore “Ted” Graffunder, age 69, or rural Marshall, passed away at his residence on Friday, September 14, 2007. Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Thursday, September 20, 2007 at Wesley United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Marshall Cemetery. Visitation will be 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday with a 7:30 P.M. prayer service at the Hamilton Funeral Home. Visitation will continue at the church on Thursday, one hour prior to the service.
Theodore “Ted” Allen Graffunder was born to Theodore Linton and Ellen (Lange) Graffunder on January 1, 1938 in Tracy, MN (the first baby born in the state of Minnesota). He was baptized and confirmed at the Wesley United Methodist Church, and graduated from the Marshall High School. He became an Eagle Scout at the age of 17 and held the Camp Ripley machine gun record for over 30 years.
Ted was united in marriage on May 15, 1957 to Judie Warnke and to this union, four children were born, namely, Julie, Daniel, Sandra and Jennifer. He and Betty Dahlhoff were married and later he married Paula Dobrenski. He worked as a salesperson for the Brown and Williams Tobacco Company, maintenance at Camden State Park, salesperson for the Marshall Liquor Store, did maintenance and drove bus for ECSU, and worked at Hardees in Marshall and Granite Falls.
Ted passed away at his residence in rural Marshall on Friday, September 14, 2007 after a 7 week battle with lung cancer. He had reached the age of 69 years, 8 months and 13 days.
He is survived by his four children, Julie (Larry) Miller of West Sunbury, PA, Daniel of Newport, MN, Sandra (Steve) Straubel of Littleton, ME, and Jennifer “Jeff” (Dean) Rigge of Cottonwood, MN; 17 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; five siblings, Floyd Minnick of Spicer, Maynard (Jean) Minnick of Monticello, Joan (C.E. Bob) Alley of Longville, Jeanine “Cheech” (Jack Haddorf) DeGriselles of Hopkins and David (Becky) Graffunder of Graham, NC; and sister-in-law, Dorothy Minnick of Alexandria. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Duane Minnick; and granddaughter, Joie Miller.
Ted’s enjoyments in life were hunting, shooting (gunsmithing), camping, canoeing (especially Boundary Waters), Rendezvous, the great outdoors, and animals.
Blessed Be The Memory Of Ted Graffunder Ted was allergic to flowers, so please designate memorials to the Prairie Home Hospice.