David Grafsgaard, age 47, of Ulen, MN, died Wednesday, June 20, 2007, in MeritCare Hospital, Fargo, ND.
David Ernest Grafsgaard was born April 22nd, 1960, the son of Ernest and Birdine (Benedict) Grafsgaard in Moorhead, MN. David graduated from Moorhead High School with the class of 1978. He then joined the Marine Corps, where he served his country from 1978 to 1981. For the next few years he was employed by various businesses in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Dave met Mari Pat Lauf in 1984, and they were united in marriage July 12, 1985. Out of this union were born two sons, Jordan David in 1986, and Justin Albert in 1988. Dave joined the U.S. Army in August of 1987, and served for six years. They were stationed in Colorado Springs, CO, and Baumholder, Germany. Dave continued with military service in the National Guard until he retired with 20 years of military service to his country. After his active duty, they moved to Bismarck, ND, where they lived for five years. While living there, Dave was employed by Cass Clay Creamery. They then moved to Ulen, where he was employed by Cargill Seed and later the West Central Ag Service, both in Ulen.
Dave is survived by his wife of 22 years, Mari; two sons, Jordan and Justin all of Ulen; his parents, Ernest and Birdine Grafsgaard of Moorhead, MN; two brothers, Steve (Joanne) of Denver, CO, and Stan (Gayle) of Moorhead; father and mother-in-law, Don and Arlene Lauf also of Ulen and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his grandparents.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, June 23rd at 11:00 AM in Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen. Visitation will be on Friday, June 22nd from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM in Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Visitation will also be one hour before services at the church on Saturday. Officiating will be Pastor John Martinson with Carol Lockhart serving as organist and Penny Herzog as pianist. Providing special music will be Sandee Wedin, Greg Lauf and Ariel Lauf. Pallbearers will be Brock Blakeway, Gary Mendez, Anthony Cory, Nathan Wilmore, Ariel Lauf and Cody Wilmore. Honorary bearers will be the employees at West Central Ag in Ulen. Full military honors will be presented by the Minnesota National Guard 2nd through 136th Combined Arms Battalion.
Interment will be in Bethlehem Lutheran North Cemetery, Ulen.
Blessed be the Memory of Dave Grafsgaard.