Graf, Gustav A. 1861-1944

GRAF, LOEB, BECKER, IDE

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 11/26/2013 at 18:26:01

Dubuque, Ia - Rev. Gustav A. Graf, 82, 240 State Street, former member of the staff of Wartburg Seminary and pastor at Strawberry Point, Ia., for 33 years, died at his home Saturday afternoon after a short illness. The body is at the Egelhof funeral home, where friends may call after Monday afternoon. Funeral services will be held from the Egelhof Funeral Home to St. John's Lutheran church Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock.

The Rev. Graf was born in Germany Oct 6, 1861, a son of August and Auguste Graf. He came to the United States in 1881 and served as vicar at the Lutheran Orphan Home, Andrew, Ia., and the Rocktown, Ia. Lutheran Church. He was ordained April 26, 1882 at Waverly, Ia.

He became pastor of the Emanuel Lutheran Church, Strawberry Point, a position he held for more than 33 years. He then served the Lutheran Church, Dixon, Ill.; later being appointed superintendent of the Lutheran Orphan Home, Muscatine, Ia. His last pastorate was at the Lawndale Township Lutheran Church, McLean County, Ill. In 1928 he came to Dubuque where he became librarian and instructor at Wartburg Seminary. During his residence in Dubuque he attended St. John's Lutheran Church.

He married Miss Friederike Loeb at Andrew, May 17, 1883. She preceded him in death June 6, 1936.

Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. John H. (Ottilie) Becker, Fond du Lac, Wis., Miss Lydia Graf, at home, and Mrs. Fred (Helene) Ide, Mitchell, Ia.; six sons, Arthur J. Graf, Fond du Lac, Erwin Graf, Elgin, Ill., Gustav Graf, Elkader, Ia., Walter Graf, Skokie, Ill., Werner Otto Graf, Los Angeles, Calif., Arnold Graf, Denver, Colo.; 23 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

~Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, Sunday morning edition, July 23, 1944
~Note: a subsequent issue gave his burial place as St. John's Lutheran Cemetery (Dubuque)