Obituaries
Ralph J. Graham, Jr., 82, Green Isle
Ralph John Graham Jr., age 82, of Green Isle, passed away at his home on Tuesday, May 30.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church in Green Isle at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 8. Msgr. Eugene Lozinski will officiate.
Casket bearers will be Miranda Flannery, Jared Flannery, Lucas Graham, Lance Graham, Lyle Bessel and Ross Kroells.
Visitation was held at the Paul-McBride Funeral Chapel in Norwood Young America from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 7. A prayer service was held at 5 p.m. Visitation continued one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday June 8.
Interment will be in the church cemetery.
Ralph John Graham Jr. was born in St. Peter on June 25, 1940. He was the son of Ralph Sr. and Mildred (Burns) Graham. Ralph received the sacraments of baptism, first communion, and confirmation at the St. Brendan Catholic Church in Green Isle. He received his education in Henderson and graduated with the Henderson High School Class of 1958.
On June 27, 1964, Ralph was united in marriage to Helen Norman at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Henderson. Ralph and Helen made their home in rural Green Isle. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Susan, Lisa and Dan. Ralph and Helen shared over 42 amazing years of marriage until Helen passed away on June 20, 2007.
Upon graduating from high school, he ventured into plumbing and heating with Francis O’Brien as his mentor, who owned and operated O’Brien Plumbing and Heating in Le Sueur. As Ralph gathered the knowledge and wisdom he ventured into his own business, Graham Plumbing and Heating which he ran from his home until he retired. Ralph was a hardworking farmer who loved his Hereford cattle in rural Green Isle. He loved being a farmer and shared his passion for farming with his family. He was a faithful member of St. Brendan’s Catholic Church in Green Isle. Ralph also served as a member of the Henderson School Board for a number of years.
Ralph enjoyed farming and driving the countryside to check out the crops. You would see him often doing his routine trips around the neighborhood. Ralph looked forward to spending time with his family and socializing with his friends.
Ralph is survived by his children, Susan Graham of Green Isle, Lisa (David) Flannery of Hamburg and Dan (Tammi) Graham of Henderson; grandchildren, Miranda Flannery (fiancé, Travis Yockey), Jared Flannery, Lucas (Julia) Graham and Lance Graham; one great-grandchild on the way; sister, Kathleen Nye; sisters-in-law, Rita Hill and Pat Norman; many other relatives and friends.
Ralph was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Graham; parents, Ralph Sr. and Mildred Graham; brothers-in-law, Charles Nye, Harold Hill, George Norman and Milton Norman; and sister-in-law, Marilyn Norman.