Raleigh A. GRAHAM

GRAHAM, MARCO, DILLION, JOHNSON, BERGER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/26/2008 at 12:02:33

The Lake Park News, Iowa
24 Aug 1961

Last Rites Fri. for R. A. Graham

Raleigh A. Graham, a resident of this community for fifty-six years, died suddenly last Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 15. Mike, as he was familiarly known, suffered a heart attack that morning while working in his garden. He was taken to the Spirit Lake hospital where he passed away at 6 p.m.

Raleigh Graham was born August 30, 1892 at Galt, Iowa, in Wright county, and at his passing had reached the age of 68 years, eleven months and fifteen days. He was the third of four children born to Edward and Carrie Graham. He moved to Lake Park with his parents to a farm in Excelsior township in 1905. He received his education in the Wright county schools and in Excelsior township.

He was united in marriage to Lola Marco on March 10, 1915 at Estherville. Following his marriage he moved to a farm near Blue Earth, Minn. Two years later he moved back to Lake Park where he farmed his father's farm in Excelsior township. To this union two children were born: Ronald and Blanche. Through the years he farmed in the Lake Park community, moving to his present home in northwest Lake Park in 1949. Mike was a lover of nature. He loved to watch things grow, and took great pride in his flowers and garden. He and his wife celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in 1955, which was planned by his children, brother and sister. Mr. Graham drove a school bus for the Lake Park Community Schools for eight years. He. being a lover of children, enjoyed the bus driving, and the respect shown him by the children returned by him their devotion. He thoroughly enjoyed his family and friends and was happiest when the table was full. Mr. Graham was a faithful member of the Lake Park Methodist church. He was a member of the official board for many years.

He was preceded in death by his father Edward Graham and his mother, Carrie Graham; and by his sister Isola (Mrs. Leo Dillion) at 6 p.m. on the same day of his passing on August 15. Those who mourn his passing are his beloved wife Lola; a son Ronald and wife Phyllis, and a daughter Blanche (Mrs. Wayne Johnson) and husband Wayne of Ocheyedan; four grandchildren, Blayne and Ronna Johnson; a brother Frank and wife Dora; and a sister Mabel (Mrs. Carl Berger) and husband Carl, besides a host of relatives and friends.

The memory of a full, beautiful life, well lived, will remain an inspiration to his family, relatives and friends. Services were held Friday afternoon, August 18 in the Lake Park Methodist church at 2 p.m. with Rev. Paul Brown officiating. Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Burns sang "The Light of Home," and "Beyond the Sunset" accompanied by Mrs. C.E. Arnold at the organ. Pall bearers were Everett and Norman Schwarzenbach, Russell Wernstrum of Garvin, Minn., Maynard Johnson, bill McFarland, and S. K. Rowlands. Burial was in the Silver Lake cemetery with the Leyson Funeral Home in charge.