Service Information
David L. McGraw died peacefully in his sleep on July 18, 2025, at age 84, after a good day and a good life.
Arrangements are being handled privately as he wished.
Obituary
David L. McGraw died peacefully in his sleep on July 18, 2025, at age 84, after a good day and a good life.
David was born in Hutchinson, MN, was baptized and confirmed at St. Anastasia's Catholic Church, where he was a dependable -- if sometimes sleepy -- altar boy. He graduated from Hutchinson High School where he starred on the basketball team and in the chess club. Whatever he played, you can be sure he won fair and square.
He went on to the College of St. Thomas from where he received his degree in accounting. While attending CST, he worked as a stockboy at Red Owl. It is there where he met Sheila Costello, whom he dated for all of one week before she proposed. They were married on August 17, 1963, at St. Luke's Catholic Church in St. Paul, MN. They settled in St. Paul where, in addition to raising their own family, they served as second parents to the youngest Costello children.
David worked at Alexander Grant (now Grant Thorton) in St. Paul, MN, before moving his family to Hutchinson in 1977. There he opened his accounting practice next to the State Theater. What began with an adding machine and ledgerbooks moved to MS-DOS on his beloved 286 computer which he continued to use well into the Windows era. Three-piece suits and a dedication to what was tried and true. In an increasingly virtual world, he preferred to file taxes the old-fashioned way, hand-signed and mailed.
He did everything with purpose. As a child, he spent some of his paperboy earnings on ice cream and donuts, daily. As an adult, he had his favorites -- a Spam sandwich, tuna gross, Carbone's pizzas, and... butter. There was nothing that butter didn't make better. Frosted brownies? Buttered. Chocolate chip cookies? Buttered. It might be how he survived Sheila's cooking.
He never met a dollar he didn't save. He was frugal, humble and measured. He had one thing in common with Sheila. They both loved her. In truth, they were of one mind in regard to faith and family, steadfast in prayer. He was a provider, through and through. In this way, he taught his children to be hard-working, honest, straightforward. Say yes, mean yes. Say no, mean no. Put it in writing only if you're willing to stand behind it. Your word and your name are gold. Say please, thank you and I'm sorry. Make lists. Weigh pros and cons prior to arriving at decisions. Be fair even if life isn't. Be moderate. Do the right thing.
He was bound by service. Making house calls for elderly clients, shoveling snow or delivering groceries for those who were shut in. Doing for others was central to who he was. He put others first.
He loved his children Bridget, Tim, Megan, Colin, Nolan and Golf, and not necessarily in that order. He enjoyed tennis, but his first love was golf. He was a fixture at the Crow River Country Club where, regardless of the weather, he was there in shorts. He walked the five-mile course until he turned 81 when he earned a free lifetime golf cart. He golfed every chance he could, well over 200 rounds one particular season, quite a feat in a state with short summers. By volume, his average price per round -- about 36 cents.
Always the CPA, he was in charge of his group's tee times and score keeping, earning him the title, The Commish. He took the job, the sport and his life seriously. There are no gimmies.
To his credit, at 82, he scored two holes in one and golfed his age.
There was no better man. He loved his family and doted on his wife. They grew up together and they grew old together. Side by side, on the front porch, weathering the joys and sorrows that a large family brings, rock solid, hand in hand to the end. Thousands of hands of pinochle, cribbage and bridge along the way. They did everything together, he did everything for her, and she loved nothing more than to make him laugh, one of the greatest sounds in the world.
David is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years, Sheila (Costello); his five children, Bridget (Greg) Peller, Tim McGraw, Megan McGraw, Colin (Kari) McGraw and Nolan (Trina) McGraw; grandchildren Jack (JoAnn), Erin (Jalal), Molly (Mason), Maggie, Gus, Alex (Matt), Libby (Grant), CC, Brendan, Ciaran (Ellie), Aidan, Nolan, Cecelia and George; great-grandchildren Finnegan, Genevieve, and Eleanor, and two more on the way; his sisters-in-law Kathleen and Joni, Sharon (Richie), Shannon (Jim), Shelley (Tom) and Shawne (Richard); brothers-in-law Dennis, Tim, George and Michael; many nieces and nephews, several generations deep; his golf buddies and so many others who were fortunate to know him.
David is preceded in death by his parents Ray and Evelyn; his siblings Joan, RJ and Mark; his granddaughters Caitlin and Mary Catherine; and his infant great-grandson Eden.
Arrangements are being handled privately as he wished. If you wish, tee off in his honor or find an act of service and do it as he would, just as he did life, quietly, intentionally and completely.
A good and faithful servant, he was loved and he will be missed. May his legacy endure. May God welcome him home and give him rest.
DeEtta nelson says
Always and all ways a true gentleman.
Sue Haniwalt says
Ken and I are so sorry to hear of David’s death. We have gotten to know the McGraw family through our daughter,Kari, being married to Colin. He will be missed by everyone that knows him. We pray the family can feel God’s love and compassion.
Cheryl Kochie says
Sheila and Family,
Very sorry to hear of your loss. I pray that you find comfort in having shared in a life well lived.
Janice Heintz says
I am sad for you Sheila hearing of David’s passing. After reading the obits, brought cheer back in me. What a wonderful way to honor him. Loved seeing all the photos.
Patti Hoerner says
A good and kind gentle soul who will be greatly missed here on earth. Gentle blessings to Sheila and her beautiful children. God bless you.
Patti
Mark Schreiner says
McGraw family, sorry for your loss. Growing up on Linden Ave I saw David almost daily coming home from work or ventures around town, I loved his car. Many times we shared a wave. God bless.
Gary Brinkmeier says
My sympathy goes out to the McGraw family. What a man!! For the last five years I had the opportunity to golf with Dave
and his group. Always fun to be greeted and see his smiling face on the practice green prior to our round of golf. Had the
chance to be with Dave when he golfed his age and got a hole in one. The times he rode with me during a round of golf I always
tried to say something that would make him smile, chuckle or laugh as I knew how serious a golfer he was. I don’t know how many
times I said “Dave…I sure hope when I’m 80 I can drive the ball long and down the middle like you”. The last several days I looked for
Dave on the practice green as I drove my cart to the club house. I miss him!!
Paul Notermann says
He was a genuine great Christian man who did not cheat and had a great score sheet in golf and life. His family and faith got him home to heaven with our Father! God bless him RIP. His family lives on with his great role model to us all- he was and always will be a class act.
God bless him and all of us that knew him and his legacy lives on through his family.
Judy Sladek says
This is one of the best obituaries , I have ever read!
Sympathy, Peace and Love to Dave’s family.
Mary Holtz says
Dear McGraw family. We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Shiela, the obituary you wrote spoke perfectly of who Dave was. What a well-lived life and beautifully raised family. I saw Dave regularly at Cashwise, and as I work there, helped him (once in awhile) maneuver through “self-check.” May he be welcomed into heaven with great joy, and maybe even with a golden golf club waiting for him.
Coleen Grimm Nelson says
Thinking of all of you as you remember a life well lived! May your many good memories and your strong faith sustain you during this difficult time. Praying for peace and strength as you gather to remember your husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather! His legacy will live on in all of you.
Hannah McGraw-Dzik says
Dear Sheila and family,
For any sadness you are experiencing I care.
Lenora and Vince loved your nights of cards with them!!
We remember your hospitality when you took us all in for a funeral.
Sheila, your writing of obituary absolutely the best.
A gem of a cousin.
love, hannah and Tom
Rachel (vdH) Burt says
So sorry for your loss Colin and the rest of the family. Your dad was always a kind man. Prayers.
Theodore R Beatty says
I had the honor to have Dave as a friend , golf buddy, tennis partner, and will miss him greatly. No matter how we tried, we could never achieve what Dave did, walking the Crow for over 200 rounds in one Summer. Rest well, David! You are missed
Lori and Brian Kaping says
We are very sorry for the loss of such a gentle and kind man. He will be so missed at CRGC where we looked gorward to seeing him daily. Good rest his beautiful soul.
Bobbi Ludewig says
Sheila and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. David was a great man. He was a very devoted husband. He will always be with you. God Bless, Bobbi
margaret shimpa says
We pray that all of you will cherish so many wonderful memories you were blessed with to have with David. What a beautiful tribute for us all to get a “glimpse” into a “good life”.
When I think of David, I think of his smiling eyes.
As the song says “When Irish eyes are smiling……you can hear the Angels sing”
The choir of Angels in Heaven got a new member. He will be singing with his family of angels that went before him.
God Bless,
Margaret and Rob Shimpa
Claire says
Sheila and family,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of David. He was a very kind, gentle and compassionate man who will be missed by all who knew him.
Please know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Claire Woelfel