**The church service giving thanks for the life of Jean A. Graul will happen as a portion of the Sunday morning worship services in four area Lutheran congregation:

Sunday, April 21     Bethany Lutheran Church, Deer River, MN              9:30 a.m.

Sunday, April 28     St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, MN   9:00 a.m.

Sunday, May 5        Zion Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, MN               9:30 a.m.

Sunday, May 12      Bethel-Trinity Lutheran Church, Bovey, MN            9:30 a.m.

Jean Anna Graul died peacefully the morning of April 8, 2024 in her Minnesota lakefront home served by hospice care. She received the diagnosis of gallbladder cancer back in August, 2023. Chemotherapy proved to be ineffective. Though enduring symptoms, she still celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary year, sailing on a Greek island cruise with her husband, two sisters and their spouses in October, 2023.

Jean was born on February 20, 1952 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, living on the dairy farm east of town – working hard to help manage crops, livestock, nursery plants, and garden with her family. She graduated from Ft. Wayne Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse. She worked in many hospital departments including orthopedics – neurology, emergency room, labor and delivery, and cardiac intensive care. The majority of her nursing career was as a Dermatology Surgery Nurse, removing skin cancer with the Mohs surgery technique.

Jean and her husband Rev. Robert Graul served Lutheran congregations in Colorado, Ohio, and Chicago, Illinois. They retired in September, 2015 to northern Minnesota, near Sunset Point Resort, Cohasset, where she began vacationing with her family every August since she was eight years old. Children into the fifth generation of her family are still coming to this town, lake, and resort.

Jean's parents were Ross and Louise Hockemeyer. Her siblings are Ronald Hockemeyer (Jane) of Ft. Wayne, Linda Messmann Coe (Jim) of Ft. Wayne, and Joan Marie Sipe (Timothy) of Lititz, Pennsylvania. Her beloved son is Alexander Robert Joseph Graul.  Jean and Bob dearly love their twin grandchildren Dillon and McKenzie (Jack), and great grandson Griffin. They cared for many foster children throughout their parenting years. She is preceded in death by her parents and her daughter Rachael Elizabeth Alfrey.  A large extended family mourns Jean's death.

Jean enjoyed baking, gardening, and crocheting. Her prolific cinnamon rolls, long john donuts, and sourdough breads are legendary among family and friends. She crocheted countless afghans and cooked bountifully as if she were still feeding the farm.

Jean's humble and effective service as her husband's partner in congregations made a great difference in the lives of church members and community, especially in the Christian education of children. She was a favorite caregiver for the patients in the doctors' offices.

Primary for Jean is her Christian faith, begun in Holy Baptism on March 2, 1952. She rests in the presence of Jesus, awaiting the Resurrection and reunion with loved ones. "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him." (1 Corinthians 2:6)

Services in various church locations will be announced. Please consider memorial donations to Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry – Camp Hiawatha, Deer River MN;  Bethel – Trinity Lutheran Church, Bovey MN -  Honduras Ministry;  Lutheran Bible Translators – Paul and Ali Federwitz,  Concordia MO;  and St. Croix Hospice, Grand Rapids, MN.

Arrangements are with the Rowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Grand Rapids, MN. To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.