Skip to main content

Harold Graphenteen

Lead Summary

Harold Graphenteen
Harold “Shorty” Graphenteen, 86, Luverne, died Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne.
A funeral service was Saturday, Oct. 19, at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne with presentation of military honors following the service. Burial was Monday, Oct. 21, at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
Harold “Shorty” Graphenteen was born on Jan. 19, 1933, to George and Adella (Lorenzen) Graphenteen at the family’s farm near Woodstock. Shortly after Harold’s birth, the family moved to a farm near Hardwick. In 1941 the family relocated to a farm outside of Jasper, 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.
He met Yuvonne Kleemeier at a dance at the Hollyhock Ballroom and the couple began their courtship, which included Yuvonne’s daughter, Coleen. Harold was drafted into the U.S. Army in May of 1953 and was sent to Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington, for basic training. He married Yuvonne at the justice of the peace in Tacoma on Aug. 15, 1953.
 Harold left for Tokyo, Japan, in October to serve as a teletype operator during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in April of 1955 and returned home.
The family farmed near Jasper for a number of years. They were blessed with two more children, Laura and Steve. In 1967 the family moved to a farm near Magnolia where they farmed until 1974.
Harold then purchased the Trosky bar and named it Graff’s Bar. He sold the bar in 1982 and bought an off-sale liquor business in Fulda. The couple moved to Fulda and operated Graff’s Liquor for the next 25 years. Harold sold the business in 2009 and the couple retired to Luverne.
Harold enjoyed spending time at Lake Shetek socializing with neighbors, tinkering in his shed and fixing things. Harold 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.
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 is survived by his wife, Yuvonne, of Luverne; children Coleen Cauwels of Cresco, Iowa, Laura (Steve) Van Klei of Champlin, and Steve (Mary Jo) Graphenteen of Luverne; grandchildren Teresa (Doug) Reisdorfer of Cannon Falls, Beth Cauwels (Tom Norton) of Minneapolis, Michael (Lindsey) Van Klei of Plymouth, Christopher Van Klei (Peter Wampole) of Minneapolis, Taylor (Vashti) Graphenteen of Sandpoint, Idaho; and Anthony Graphenteen (Kristel Jandl) of Luverne; four great-grandchildren; brothers Dale and David (Kim) Graphenteen, Wisconsin; 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.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
(1024 F)

You must log in to continue reading. Log in or subscribe today.