William G. Markgraf

Obituary

William “Willie” George Markgraf was born on September 17, 1926, in Hutchinson, Minnesota. He was the son of Johannes and Catharina Elisabeth (Gorte) Markgraf. Willie was baptized as an infant on October 10, 1926, in Brownton, Minnesota, and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth on May 25, 1941, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hector, Minnesota. He attended country school in Hector through the eighth grade.

On October 28, 1947, Willie was united in marriage to Irene Miller at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stewart, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with four children, LaVonne, Rodney, Marla and Darla. Willie and Irene resided in Brownton, Hector, and Buffalo Lake, Minnesota and later moved to Stewart, Minnesota, to raise their family in 1967.  They shared 50 years of marriage until Irene passed away on January 8, 1997. Willie was a loving and faithful husband.  Willie later moved to Cedar Crest Estates in Silver Lake, Minnesota in January of 2013.

Willie spent his working years on the farm raising dairy cows and pigs.  Willie and his brothers owned farm equipment together, so when it was time for bailing hay, filling the silo, planting and harvesting, he and his brothers worked together to get the job done.  Together Willie and Irene raised their family on the farm in Lynn Township. He retired from farming in the mid 1990’s.

Willie enjoyed playing cards and was always ready to play a hand of Up The River, Buck Euchre, or Pinochle. In his free time away from farming, he loved to spend time deer hunting.  Willie hunted on his own farm land.   In Willie’s younger years he enjoyed trapping.  Trapping was a so called side business that he and Irene did together.  He did the trapping and Irene did the stretching and drying of the pelts.  Willie also enjoyed the serenity of pontoon rides on Lake Sylvia.  He especially enjoyed spending time with his family, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many friends.

Willie passed away on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, at Cedar Crest Estates in Silver Lake at the age of 89 years.  His bright smile will be dearly missed.  Blessed be his memory.

Willie is survived by his:
Children, LaVonne Oldehoeft and her husband, Lowell of Kansas City, MO,
                  Rodney Markgraf and his wife, Barb of Hutchinson, MN,
                  Marla Goranowski and her husband, Larry of Cokato, MN,
                  Darla Samuelson and her husband, Steve of Hutchinson, MN;
Grandchildren, Jeff Hurst and his wife, Janessa, Jay Hurst and his wife Kelly, Debra Bailey, Matt Oldehoeft and his wife, Gail, Lindsey Hoffman and her husband Brandon, Janessa Markgraf,  Jeremiah Markgraf, Shannon Hendrickson and her husband Aaron, Chad Goranowski and his wife, Gillian, Mitchell Samuelson and Nathan Samuelson;
Great Grandchildren, Hudson, Hensley, Jia, Jack, Emma, Hank, Howie, Maddie, Hannah, Logan, Colton;
Brothers, Leroy Markgraf of Buffalo Lake, MN (recently of Glencoe, MN);
Sisters-In-Law, Sylvia Markgraf of Stewart, MN,
Gladys Markgraf of Buffalo Lake, MN,
Sue Markgraf of Buffalo Lake, MN,
Doris Miller of Winthrop, MN;
Many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, other relatives and friends.

Willie is preceded in death by his Parents, John and Elisabeth Markgraf, Spouse, Irene Miller, Brothers, Hank Markgraf, Carl Markgraf, John Markgraf, David Markgraf,  Alex Markgraf,; Sisters, Sally Inselmann, Alma Voigt, Adeline Inselmann, Molly Albrecht,  Freida Inselmann; Brothers-In-Law, Alfred Inselmann, Howard Voigt, Harold Inselmann, Otto Albrecht, Harvey Inselmann; Sisters-In-Law,  Rosie Markgraf and Darlene Markgraf.