Mark D. McGraw

McGraw, Mark D. 68, died peacefully on October 15, 2013 at his home in downtown Minneapolis. Mark was a loving husband to his wife of 46 years, Joni McGraw (nee Klammer), a devoted father to his two daughters, Kelly McGraw and Kristen Heise. He was the proud grandpa to his five beautiful granddaughters, Blythe Romano, Annica Romano, Campbell Romano, McKenna Heise and Parker Heise. He was the benevolent uncle to his many nieces and nephews and the tolerant father-in-law to Anthony Romano and Jesse Heise. Mark was born on May 28, 1945 in Hutchinson, Minnesota to Ray McGraw and his 100-year old surviving mother, Evelyn McGraw. He was the youngest of four children, including his two surviving brothers, Ronald J. McGraw (wife Kathleen) and David McGraw (wife Sheila) and his predeceased sister, Joan Froemming (husband John). Mark attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, where he received a Bachelor's Degree in 1967. Mark was always a family man and friend first. And a career man second. Early in his career, Mark was a high school Spanish teacher in Mount Morris near Flint, Michigan. After the birth of his two daughters, Mark returned to Minnesota to start his restaurant, The Burger Shoppe, and eventually launched McGraw Concessions. Mark cherished the concession business, specifically the 13 years and thousands of family memories at the McLeod County Fairs. If your last name was McGraw or Froemming, or you knew someone with that name, chances were you flipped a burger, fried a mini donut or were tortured by the cotton candy machine. Like every true Minnesotan, he was a devoted fan of the Minnesota State Fair, attending ever year, multiple times each year, without fail. It was his church and state. Mark was deeply loved by his family, friends, colleagues and all who knew him. He was always caring, thoughtful and generous. He had a one- of-a-kind sense of humor and wit that will be impossible to replace. Mark will always be remembered with laughter. We welcome all family and friends to join us for a memorial service on Sunday, October 20th from 4 - 6 pm at Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapel, 5000 West 50th Street, Edina (952- 920-3996). Mass will begin at 5 pm. Mark's nephew, Father Sean McGraw, will preside over the mass. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The National Kidney Foundation at kidney.org.

Published on October 18, 2013