June 23, 1929 – October 7, 2022

Celebration of Life services for Clarence Graphenteen, 93, of Trosky, Minnesota, were held on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Trosky, Minn., with Rev. Robert Moeller, Jr. officiating. Special music was provided by Nicole Krings singing The Lord’s Prayer. Congregational hymns were Amazing Grace and I Know That My Redeemer Lives with Jeanette Sluis playing the organ. Interment was in Trosky Cemetery, Trosky.

Casket bearers were Nathan Graphenteen, Jason Graphenteen, Scott Graphenteen, Joe Graphenteen, Bryan Brockberg, and Steve Kollmann. Honorary casket bearers were granddaughters. Military Honors were provided by Arthur Moeller American Legion Post #478, Hardwick, Minnesota.

Clarence Fred Graphenteenwas born to Fred and Lore (Brockberg) Graphenteen on June 23,1929, in Alexandria, Minnesota. He lived on the family farm in Villard, Minnesota, until moving to Trosky in 1930. He graduated from Edgerton High School in 1948. 

On July 7, 1951, he was married to Lois Beeney and shortly afterwards moved to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Clarence worked as a cable splicer for Central Telephone Company, later known as Centel Corporation. Throughout his years with the company, he worked as a purchasing agent, engineer, and served in management positions. In 1986, he retired with over thirty years of service to the company. 

In his retirement, Clarence and Lois moved back to his hometown of Trosky. They bought land that Clarence had lived on as a child and lived there for the remainder of their retirement. Lois preceded him in death on September 5, 2014. On May 6, 2019, he became a resident at Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton, where he died on October 7, 2022, at the age of 93 years, three months and 14 days. 

Clarence was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Trosky. He was baptized on July 9, 1929, in Villard and confirmed in 1944 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Trosky. 

He enjoyed farming, fishing, and attending his grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s activities. Family was always first for him and he looked forward to each family gathering that brought everyone together. He will be remembered for his strong Christian faith, his love and commitment to his family, his willingness to always serve others, and his unwavering work ethic.

He is lovingly remembered by his children, Dennis (Sue) Graphenteen in Slayton, Minnesota, Ronald (Leslie) Graphenteen of Eagle, Nebraska, Debra (Doug) Wolf of Omaha, Nebraska, and Randy (Ellen) Graphenteen of Hackensack, Minnesota; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild and one more on the way; two brothers, Arnie (Jan) Graphenteen of Aurora, Colorado, and Leroy (Pat) Graphenteen of Ontario, Ohio. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois; his parents, Fred and Lore; one brother, Les (Linda) Graphenteen; and one sister, Lorna (Mel) Regnier.