Service Information
Alta “Sally” Graham, age 99, of Gaylord passed away Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Glencoe Regional Health in Glencoe.
Memorial Service will be Friday, March 6, 2026, 11:00 A.M. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gaylord. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be one hour prior to the service.
Obituary
Alta “Sally” Elaine Graham was born on September 15, 1926, in Howard Lake, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Otto and Edna (Luhman) Janneke. Sally was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in her faith as a youth. She received her education in Howard Lake and was a graduate of the Howard Lake High School class of 1943. Sally furthered her education at Fairview Hospital School of Nursing in the World War II Nurses Cadet Program.
On October 5, 1947, Sally was united in marriage to Edward “Ed” Graham at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake. After their marriage the couple resided in Minneapolis, Clintonville, Wisconsin, Iron River, Michigan, Rochester, Minnesota, Rapid City, South Dakota and in 1957 settled in Gaylord, Minnesota. Sally and Ed owned and operated Graham’s Shopper Village in Gaylord. Sally was employed as a Registered Nurse and Director of Nursing at the Gaylord Hospital until it closed. She was also the Director of Nursing at the Lakeview Nursing Home. Sally and Ed were blessed with two children and they shared 62 years of marriage when Ed passed away on August 22, 2010. She was a devout Christian, beloved friend and mother, loving wife and caregiver to her husband, and very involved in the Gaylord community.
Sally was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gaylord and served as Parish nurse and taught Sunday School.
Sally loved watching the Minnesota Twins. She enjoyed traveling, walking, knitting, playing cards and dominos, and listening to music.
When she needed assistance with her care, Sally became a resident of Bayside Manor Assisted Living and passed away at Glencoe Regional Health in Glencoe at the age of 99 years. Blessed be her memory.
Sally is survived by her:
Children, Cynthia Knutson of Denver, CO, and
Robert Graham and his wife, Sherry of Minneapolis, MN;
Granddaughter, Krista Ginther and her husband, Nate of Littleton, CO;
Great-grandson, Eian Ginther;
Nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Sally was preceded in death by her Parents, Otto and Edna Janneke; Husband, Edward Graham; Son-in-law, Jay T. Knutson; Brother, Ronald Janneke and his wife, Dorothy; Brothers-in-law, Jim Graham and his wife, Ida, Jack Graham; Sisters-in-law, Paula Graham in infancy.
Kacey Tollefson says
Sympathies to you all. We loved her at First Choice Pharmacy. She was always so fun and bubbly. She always remembered me and remembered I had two boys! She asked about them many times. We will miss seeing her.
Maureen Ullian says
I worked many years with Sally at the Lakeview Home in Gaylord. She was our Director of Nursing. She was such an unbelievable nurse, always caring for her residents and staff. She was always such a gentle spoken wonderful lady who I admired tremendously. My sympathies to her entire family during this difficult time.
Marlys Marie Schauer says
she was directer of nursing in gaylord. hird me and i work there for awhile. very lovely lady . she was my bos. very freindly lady kind . talk to alot at church immanual gaylord. i will miss her smile marlys klizke schauer.
Patricia Mans says
I worked with Sally at the Gaylord Nursing Home. She helped transport patients down to the Beauty Salon for me, and she came to me for pedicures at Haircut Ann’s, where I also worked.
She was a very special lady & good customer of mine ~ she will be very well missed. Prayers to her family members.