Donald Elmer Graf

Donald E. Graf, 86, of Oelwein, Iowa passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday evening, November 6, 2011.

Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M. Thursday, November 10, 2011 at Christ United Presbyterian Church, Oelwein, with Rev. Charis Combs-Lay officiating.
Visitation: 3:00 to 7:00 P.M. Wednesday at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Oelwein and for one hour before services at the church on Thursday.
Public Masonic Service: 7:00 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Private Family Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, Oelwein, Iowa.
A Memorial Fund for the Oelwein Little Husky Learning Center.
Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitz

Donald Elmer Graf was born on November 12, 1924 in Graf, Iowa, the son of Elmer and Clara Graf. In 1930 he moved to Hazleton where he graduated from Hazleton High School in 1942. He was united in marriage to Helen M. Bremmer on February 26, 1946 in Wathena, Kansas and enjoyed her companionship for 62 years. He farmed northwest of Hazleton until 1988, when they moved to Oelwein, but always kept strong ties to the farm.

Among his many accomplishments Don was a 50 year member in the Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star, a member of the Oelwein Shriner's Tin Lizzies, past Worshipful Master of Waterfall Masonic Lodge #511 at Hazleton, long time member of the Hazleton Volunteer Fire Department, past president of the Maynard Farm Service Board, and served as Hazleton Township Trustee for 37 years. Don was an avid woodworker and although his projects included, such things as roll top desks and clocks, his most enjoyable projects were the wooden blocks he made for children. The 70,000 blocks that he made were gifted to families, doctor's offices, hospitals, churches, day cares and other locations where children play.

Don was a very social person and would start up a conversation with anyone, he had a love for playing cards with family and friends at home or in the Surprise, Arizona area where they wintered for over 20 years. His pride and joy were his children and family.

Don is survived by three children; Son: Ronald "Ronnie" (Sandie) Graf of Hazleton; 2 Daughters: Glenda "Gigi" Graf (Bob Thornburg) of Des Moines and Debra "Debbie" Graf (Tom Friel) of Chesterfield, Missouri; 2 Grandchildren: Jennifer (Ron) Worrell of Reinbeck, Iowa & Shane (Laura) Galligan of Naperville, Illinois; 4 Great Grandchildren: Samantha Burgin, Jamie Worrell, Henry Galligan & Claudia Galligan; Sister: Adele (Clarence) Williams of Oelwein and an extended family Mark, Angie Cody, Baylee, and Bryce Kleitsch.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, wife: Helen on December 14, 2008, a brother and a sister.