Yuvonne Graphenteen, age 91, of Luverne, Minnesota, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at the Parkview Manor in Ellsworth, Minnesota.
Memorial visitation will be Saturday, May 13, 2023, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne with the memorial service to follow at 2 p.m. Burial will take place at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne. To sign an online registry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.
Yuvonne Vie Graphenteen was born December 19, 1931, to Jacob and Vie (Bonnett) Aanenson on the family's farm near Magnolia, Minnesota. She spent her childhood on the farm, graduating from Magnolia High School in 1949. Following her graduation, she worked in nearby Luverne at Tri-State Insurance Company.
She married Robert "Bob" Kleemeier in January 1951. The couple lived in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Yuvonne was pregnant with their baby girl, Coleen, when Bob was killed in a car accident. Yuvonne moved home to Magnolia where she lived with her family and took care of Coleen.
Throughout life, one of Yuvonne's greatest joys was music and dancing. One night she was at Hollyhock Ballroom near Hatfield, Minnesota, when her future husband, Harold "Shorty" Graphenteen, came over and asked her to dance. The couple began dating and got married on August 15, 1953, in Tacoma, Washington, where Harold was stationed with the Army. Upon Harold's return from the service, the young family farmed in the Jasper area until 1967 and were blessed with two more children, Laura and Steve. Yuvonne worked hard as a stay-at-home mom and homemaker for their family. They moved to Magnolia and continued to farm until 1974.
At that time, they moved to Trosky, Minnesota, where Harold began running “Graff's Bar.” In 1982 they sold the bar and bought an off-sale liquor store in Fulda, Minnesota. They lived in Fulda and operated “Graff's Liquor” for the next 25 years. They sold their store in 2009 and decided to move to Luverne, Minnesota, to be closer to family. They also spent more time at their cabin on Lake Shetek near Slayton, Minnesota.
Yuvonne was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. The couple were members of the same card club for over 60 years. It included nine other couples that got together to play cards, visit, share food and have some fun from September to May. They would all get together in the summer for an annual picnic and await the next fall for their card playing to start again.
Yuvonne's passion in life was dancing. She would dance every night of the week if she could. She loved to jitterbug but enjoyed a good waltz and polka too.
The lady could make a mean apple pie. Harold planted apple trees for her in their yard. When apple season came, the couple would eat at least two pies a week between the two of them. She also enjoyed spending time up at Lake Shetek socializing with their neighbors and the feeling of community amongst them.
Yuvonne is lovingly remembered by her children, Coleen Cauwels of Cresco, Iowa, Laura (Steve) Van Klei of Champlin, Minnesota, and Steve (Mary Jo) Graphenteen of Luverne; grandchildren, Teresa (Doug) Reisdorfer of Cannon Falls, Minnesota, Beth Cauwels (Tom Norton) of Ventura, California, Michael (Lindsey) Van Klei of Plymouth, Minnesota, Christopher Van Klei (Peter Wampole) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Taylor (Vashti) Graphenteen of Sandpoint, Idaho, and Anthony Graphenteen (Kristel) of Luverne; great-grandchildren, Derick Reisdorfer, Madison and Kayla Van Klei; Regan and Cameron Graphenteen, and Banks Graphenteen.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold "Shorty" Graphenteen (October 13, 2019); son-in-law, Dennis Cauwels; parents; and sister, Ellen Aanenson.