Roger Graff

Roger D Graff, 75, of Great Falls, passed away peacefully Wednesday, August 14, 2013 from Alzheimer’s disease at the Bee Hive Homes. Memorial Service will be held at a later date in Lamberton, MN. Cremation has taken place under the direction of O’Connor Funeral Home. Roger was born on September 11, 1937 in Lamberton, MN. He was the fourth of eight children born to Robert and Ethel Graff. In July of 1957 he married Joan Ludwig and they were blessed with three children; Debbie, Tim and Cindy. Joan and Roger would later divorce. In the winter of 1967 they moved to Montana where Roger began his newspaper career with the Great Falls Tribune. He became the Circulation Manager and later the Operations Manager. Roger later married Darlene Sturtz and adopted her three children, Rhonda, Mike, and Gary. This marriage also ended in divorce. On September 2, 2006 Roger married Bonnie Rodman in Glenns Ferry, ID. They lived in Twin Falls, ID until moving back to Great Falls in 2007. During his newspaper years he was president of the Pacific Northwest International Circulation Manager Executives as well as an active member and past president of the Optimist Club International. Throughout his life he was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church. In 1985 Roger accepted the Lord Jesus as his personal Savior. Roger is survived by his wife, Bonnie Graff; children Debbie Bogle, Tim (Mary) Graff, and Cindy (Jack) Donnell all of Helena; adopted children Rhonda (Michael) Garvin, Mike (Christine) Graff, and Gary (Brenda) Graff all of Washington; sisters Shirley Mattison and Janice Coulter; sister-in-law Joyce Graff all of Lamberton, MN; brothers Gary (Diane) Graff of Lamberton, MN, Bruce (Elona) Graff of Minneapolis, and Dick (Joanne) Graff of Le Seuer, MN; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and one on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Robert; sister Arliss Quiring; brothers-in-law Donald Quiring, Arlo Mattison, and Merle Coulter; and great-grandson Tyler Lindquist. Memorial may be made to Peace Hospice of Montana, the Great Falls Rescue Mission or the charity of donor’s choice.