Services for Albert Graftaas
Albert John Graftaas, 77, of Fosston, MN, died at his home on Monday, August 3, 2020. Opportunities to remember Albert will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2020. Because of space limitations due to COVID-19, you are encouraged to participate in one of the following: 9:00 am visitation with family and viewing at Samhold Lutheran Church in Gonvick, funeral service at 10:30 am at the church with Pastor Jane Ekholm officiating, and Albert will be buried at the Samhold Lutheran Cemetery in Gonvick following the service. At approximately 12:00 pm, there will be a light lunch and a time of casual memory sharing at the Clear Waters Life Center, Tuscany room, in Gonvick. Masks are required in the church (please bring your own mask if you have one). The funeral service will be video recorded and available for viewing on Sunday. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com.
Albert was born February 16, 1943, in Bagley, Minnesota, to parents Roy and Julia (Kise) Graftaas. He was baptized and confirmed at Samhold Lutheran Church in Gonvick, MN, where he was a life-long member. He attended school in Gonvick. Albert married Shirley Paulson at Sand Valley Lutheran Church in Trail on July 23, 1966. They were happily married for 54 years. Albert and Shirley have traveled to all 50 states and all of the Canadian provinces. Albert and Shirley made their home in rural Gonvick, until they moved to Fosston in 2018, and have been snowbirds in Arizona for 13 years.
Albert left school at the age of 16 and worked at the Gully Elevator and Seed House, and went custom combining. He worked as a teamster and heavy equipment operator from 1963-1972. In 1972, he was employed at Lakehead Pipeline, which is now Enbridge Pipeline. He worked there for 30 years, retiring in December 2002. After retiring, he worked at the Gully Fertilizer Plant and Pine Lake Wild Rice in the rice and potato harvest. He was also a Charter member of the Gonvick Lions Club, and served on the Samhold Church Council.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley, sons Brian (Jodi) Graftaas, Dilworth, MN, Eric (Stephanie) Graftaas, Becker, MN, and 5 grandchildren, Megan. Lauren, Gretchen, Hunter and Catherine Graftaas. Brother Ray (Kay) Graftaas, Sisters Bernice Magnussen, Phyllis Jacobson, and JoAnn (Ruben) Garcia. Brother-in-law Jimmy (Janice) Paulson, sister-in-law Kathy Spears. And many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by daughter, Carla Jo, parents Roy and Julia Graftaas, and brother Stanley, grandparents John and Beret Graftaas, and Albert and Anna Kise.
