Ronald “Ronnie” Graf

GRAF WILLYARD BREMMER WORRELL GALLIGAN GRILL HOF THORNBURG FRIEL

Posted By: diane (email)
Date: 12/2/2021 at 18:49:09

On Monday, November 16, 2020, Ronald “Ronnie” Graf, loving husband and stepfather of two children, passed away at the age of 72 years due to complications from COVID-19 at Unity Point-Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Oelwein, is assisting the family.

As per Ronnie’s wishes, memorials will be given to Friends of Fontana Park, c/o Ronnie Graf, 1883 125th St., Hazleton, Iowa 50641.

Ronnie was born on July 17, 1948 in Oelwein, Iowa, the son of Donald and Helen Graf. He served 3 years in the United States Navy from 1966-1969, during which time he was forward deployed to Vietnam. In 1972, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Farm Operations from Iowa State University. He spent the rest of his years managing and running the family farm outside of Hazleton, Iowa. He was always in pursuit of a greater wealth of knowledge and life around him. He had acquired several licenses and certifications, which included a Master Electrician’s License and a pilot license. On March 17, 1989 he married Sandie (Willyard) Graf.

Ronnie had a love for the land and a passion for farming that lasted a lifetime. Friends and family could always rely on his knowledge, experience, mechanical assets and expertise. He was always looking for an opportunity to use his equipment to bury something, dig holes, or knock something down. After retirement, Ronnie and Sandie built their winter home in Lake Havasu City, Arizona where they enjoyed ATV riding through the desert trails and establishing several new valued friendships.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his father, Donald Graf, his mother, Helen (Bremmer) Graf, and his mother-in-law, Arliss Willyard.

He is survived by his wife Sandie Graf of Hazleton, his 2 step-children, Jennifer (Ron) Worrell of Cedar Falls and Shane Galligan of Ankeny, his 5 grandchildren, Nathan Hof of Waverly, Samantha (Jason) Grill of Aplington, Jamie Worrell of Marshalltown, Henry Galligan and Claudia Galligan both of Ankeny, his 6 great grandchildren, Orion, Juniper, Flora and Birdie Grill, Gemma and Titan Hof, his 2 sisters, Glenda Graf (Robert Thornburg) of Windsor Heights and Debra Graf (Thomas Friel) of Chesterfield, Missouri, his father-in-law, Jerry Willyard and his lifelong friend, Ruth Graf of Mason City.