Earl K. Graves

Earl K. Graves, 54, died Friday, February 1, 2008 , at Rochester Methodist Hospital in Rochester , MN , following a courageous battle with lymphoma. Earl was born February 19, 1953 , in Winona , MN to Darwin and Delaine (Glenna) Graves . Earl graduated from Winona High School in 1971. Following his graduation Earl joined the U. S. Army. He returned to Winona after his honorable discharge from the army where he worked for Fusion Coating and Fribrite. It was while working for Boelters he met Laurie Sikorski and later united with her in marriage on May 24, 1980 in Winona , MN . In 1988, Earl became the club manager at the Eagles Club. Earl's organizational skills and knowing the value of a dollar led him into the position as gambling manager at the Eagles which he served as until the time of his death. Earl served many chairs with his membership at the Fraternal Order of Eagles 1243 and had been currently serving as the conductor of the club. Earl was a member of Central Lutheran Church . He was also a member of AMVETS, Athletic Club and former member of the Elks Club. Earl loved to golf and was longtime member of the Arcadia Country Club, was an avid Minnesota sports fan and enjoyed his drives to "the casino". Earl was a loving husband and father who loved his trips to Vegas and Laughlin with his wife Laurie and friends.Survivors include his wife, Laurie; two sons, Jeremy (Wendy) Graves and Jamie Graves both of Winona , MN ; mother, Delaine Graves of Winona ; brother, Dave Graves of Winona , MN ; sister, Beverly (Glen) Busitzky of Golden Valley, MN; his dog, Rambo; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and sister, Phyllis.A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 , at 1:00pm at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service Hansen Goodview Chapel with the Rev. Scott Olson officiating. Interment will take place later this spring. Friends may call on Tuesday at the funeral home from 4-8:00pm and also one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Wednesday. A reception of Earl's family and friends will be held at the Eagles Club in Winona following the services on Wednesday.Please share a memory of Earl with the family, sign the online guestbook or view his video tribute at: www.hofffuneral.com
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/?id=13976