1933-Harold Graphenteen-2019
Harold “Shorty” George Graphenteen was born January 19, 1933 to George and Adella (Lorenzen) Graphenteen at the family’s farm near Woodstock, Minnesota. Shortly after Harold’s birth, they moved to a farm near Hardwick, Minnesota. In 1941, the family relocated to a farm outside of Jasper, Minnesota where Harold spent the rest of his childhood years. He attended country school through the eighth grade and graduated from Jasper High School in 1952. While attending a dance at the Hollyhock Ballroom, a young lady named Yuvonne Kleemeier caught his eye. He asked her to dance and the couple began their courtship, which included Yuvonne’s daughter Coleen. He was drafted into the US Army in May of 1953. He was sent to Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington for basic training. That summer, Yuvonne drove out to Washington with some of the girlfriends of Harold’s fellow soldiers. The couple were married at the justice of the peace in Tacoma on August 15, 1953. Harold was home for a short time in October before his orders to leave for Tokyo, Japan where he served as a teletype operator during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in April of 1955 and returned home. The young family farmed outside of Jasper, Minnesota for a number of years. During these years the couple were blessed with two more children, Laura and Steve. In 1967, they moved to a farm near Yuvonne’s childhood home of Magnolia, Minnesota. They lived and farmed here until 1974. At that time Harold was ready to try a new venture in life and purchased the Trosky bar that they aptly named “Graff’s Bar”. He sold the bar in 1982 when an off sale liquor business came up for sale in Fulda, Minnesota. The couple moved to Fulda where Harold owned and operated “Graff’s Liquor” for the next 25 years. Harold had the perfect personality to own the bar and liquor store. He was friendly and quite the talker. He could start up a conversation with anyone and people just opened up to him and shared their stories. The younger generation loved to come and visit with him. Harold knew how to have fun in life and people of all ages enjoyed being near him. He sold the business in 2009 and the couple retired to Luverne. Many years were also spent with family at their cabin on Lake Shetek. Harold enjoyed spending time up at the lake socializing with their neighbors, tinkering in his shed and fixing things. He enjoyed helping others out on projects and was quite a handyman. Harold was an athletic guy and enjoyed golfing, bowling, shooting pool and playing ball. He was the pitcher/catcher for a number of years on local softball teams. Harold and Yuvonne were members of the same card club for over 60 years. It included eight other couples that got together to play cards, visit about their families, share food and have some fun once a month from September to May and also included an annual summer picnic. Harold was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne and was a founding member of the Arthur Moeller American Legion Post 478 in Hardwick. Harold “Shorty” Graphenteen died peacefully on Sunday, October 13, 2019 at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, MN at the age 86
Harold is lovingly remembered by his wife Yuvonne, Luverne; children: Coleen Cauwels, Cresco, IA, Laura (Steve) Van Klei, Champlin, MN, and Steve (Mary Jo) Graphenteen, Luverne; grandchildren: Teresa (Doug) Reisdorfer, Cannon Falls, MN, Beth Cauwels (Tom Norton), Minneapolis, MN, Michael (Lindsey) Van Klei, Plymouth, MN, Christopher Van Klei (Peter Wampole), Minneapolis, MN, Taylor (Vashti) Graphenteen, Sandpoint, ID; and Anthony Graphenteen (Kristel Jandl), Luverne; great-grandchildren: Madison and Kayla Van Klei, Derick Reisdorfer, Regan Graphenteen; brothers: Dale and David (Kim) Graphenteen, WI; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Maxine Kruger and Marvella Wilson; and his son-in-law Dennis Cauwels.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, October 19 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne, MN with presentation of military honors following the service. Burial at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne at a later date. To sign an online registry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com. Memorials may be directed to the Arthur Moeller American Legion Post 478 in Hardwick. Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne assisted with arrangements.
