Robert B. McGraw

Robert Banning McGraw, age 90, passed away on December 11, 2013, at the Bethany Memory Care Center in Litchfield. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 PM on Monday, December 16, 2013, at the St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Sunday, December 15th at the Augustana Chapel in Litchfield and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the lake Ripley Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Litchfield Military Honor Guard. Robert was born on August 5, 1923 in Willmar, Minnesota. He was the son of Hattie (Hanscom) and Thomas McGraw. Robert was baptized at First Presbyterian Church in Willmar and later confirmed in his faith at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Lidgerwood, North Dakota. He received his education in Willmar and was a graduate of the Willmar High School Class of 1941. He was hired as a depot agent for the Great Northern in 1941, then drafted by the US Army in 1943 where he also served as a railroad agent and was then honorably discharged in 1946. On September 14, 1943, he married Lucille Mary Dornfeld in Redwood Falls, Minnesota at St. John's Lutheran Church. This marriage was blessed with two children, Richard and Kathleen. He and Lucille shared 70 years of marriage as they lived in Willmar, Atwater, Cayuga, North Dakota, Darwin, Delano and New Brighton where in 1970, Robert became a Drug and Alcohol Counselor for the Burlington Northern Railroad until his retirement in 1981. They then moved to Litchfield for their retirement years. Robert was a 57 year member of AA. In his retirement, he and Lucille spent 17 winters in Mission, Texas where they made many good friends and Bob learned to carve. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as friends, were blessed with many of his masterpieces which they still treasure today. Robert took up golf in Texas and fishing in Minnesota. A special photo album recorded all the catches both big and small. In later years, he delighted in adding pictures of grand and great grandkids catching their ""big one."" Most mornings found him having a good cup of coffee with his Litchfield buddies and solving all the world's problems. His hearty laugh and wonderful sense of fun made him a natural at being G'pa to his own grandkids as well as the neighborhood children. His train set-up in New Brighton was something to behold! He delighted in playing Santa Claus for Litchfield and was known for his big smile and booming Ho, Ho, Ho. He especially cherished spending time with his family, grand and great grandchildren and many friends. When Robert needed assistance with his daily care, he became a resident of Bethany Memory Care Center in January of 2012 and received wonderful care from the staff members of Bethany and the Hospice Program. Robert lived life to the fullest and will be dearly missed. Robert is survived by his wife, Lucille McGraw of Litchfield, MN, son, Richard McGraw (Nancy) of Hutchinson, MN, son-in-law, Michael Duclos of Akeley, MN. Grandchildren: Ronald McGraw(Michelle) of Dassel, Mark McGraw of Shakopee, MN, Leah Starke ( Mark) of Hutchinson, MN, Kyle Duclos (Jill) of Walker, MN, and Kelly Duclos (Martha) of Robbinsdale. Great-grandchildren: Reid and Michael McGraw, Nicole Garner(Tim), Megan, Madison and Kady McGraw, Isaac and Jacob Starke, Chelsea, Jesse and Tyler Duclos, Elsa and Henry Duclos. Brother: Richard McGraw, Snellville, GA and numerous nieces and nephews. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Hattie McGraw; daughter, Kathleen Duclos; sister, Beatrice Thorson and husband, Lars; brothers, Earl McGraw and wife, Helen, Thomas McGraw and wife, Beulah.Previous Events Visitation Sunday, December 15, 2013 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Augustana Memorial Chapel 218 North Holcombe Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Monday, December 16, 2013 1:30 PM St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church 227 South Ramsey Litchfield, MN 55355