Merna Rose (Pechuman) Graf, age 87, peacefully slipped away from us on August 26, at the Baldwin Care Center after courageously battling Parkinson’s for many years. Born on February 22, 1937, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Leonard and Lydia (Kaphingst) Pechuman, Merna grew up in the Afton, Minnesota, area and graduated from Stillwater High School in 1955.

Merna married Wally Graf on January 14, 1956. They lived in the River Falls, Hammond and Big River area for 12 years where they made some dear lifelong friends. They attended Luther Memorial Church where Merna taught Sunday school. In 1968, they moved to their farm north of Baldwin and joined Gethsemane Lutheran Church. Merna worked in admissions for 32 years at the Baldwin Hospital, retiring in 2000. After retirement, she and Wally spent several winters in Arizona. Throughout the years, they have enjoyed country music, dancing and traveling.

A loving wife, mom, grandma and great-grandma, family was important to her and she made us all feel loved and special. She loved her grandchildren and enjoyed having them stay overnight, play games, go to Como Park, ball games , shopping and other fun endeavors. She and Wally stayed busy attending their sporting events, birthdays, graduations, weddings and excitedly welcomed the great grandchildren when they arrived. They all loved getting cards and gifts from Great-grandma. Merna decorated many birthday cakes and enjoyed photography, especially taking pictures of her grandchildren. We have many fond memories of picnics at the farm and her beautiful flower beds. She enjoyed checking her Facebook, playing croquet, 500, Rook and other games with the grandkids.

Christmas was a favorite time of the year as it combined several of her passions. Merna loved shopping, giving presents and decorating. She was always willing to go to one more store to get just the perfect outfit, accessory or gift. At Christmas, her table overflowed with everyone’s favorite food, cookies and desserts, including lefse, springerle, and fruit cake. She created beautiful floral arrangements, especially Christmas wreaths, swags and ornaments. She and Patti took their creations to several art fairs for many years.

Merna is lovingly remembered by her husband of 68 years, Wally; her brother, Lenny; her children—Patti (Mike) Rudesill, Diane (Wally) Cassellius, and Wally (Deb); 9 grandchildren—Jolene (Matt), Jessica (Bill), Jacob (Kathryn), Amber, Joshua (Pamela), Adam (Deanna), Joy (Felipe), Josiah and David, as well as 13 great-grandchildren—Camryn, Eli, Josie, Preston, Anna, Elsie, Brielle, Seth, Will, Gianna, Benji, Caden and Baby S. due in February. She is also survived by her brothers and sister-in-law, Dick and Don Graf and Bev Graf and many dear cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, sister Katherine “Jeanie”, son-in-law, Gary Benson, and brothers and sisters-in-law, Melita Graf, Ken and Marcia Graf, Larry Graf and Rockie Graf.

The family would like to thank the Baldwin Care Center and Adoray for their care and kindness to Merna and her family.

A memorial service for Merna Graf will be held on Sunday, September 1, at 2 pm, at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Baldwin. Visitation will be from held at the church 12 pm to 2 pm prior to the service. Burial will be immediately after the service. Funeral services entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Homes.