Vernon E. Graff, 96, of Austin, Minnesota, died peacefully on Monday, May 11, 2015, at Our House Memory Care, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born Sept. 20, 1918, in Austin Township to Ervin and Marie Louise (Rieken) Graff. A lifelong Austin area resident, Vernon served his country in the U.S. Army in World War II in the Pacific Theatre and New Guinea from 1942-1945. After the war, he married Marie Cress on Feb. 15, 1947. The couple raised eight children. Vernon worked for Hormel Foods in Austin for 46 years. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Austin, and was a loyal supporter of the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins. He especially enjoyed spending time with his entire family.

Vernon is survived by his children: Eugene Allen of Collinsville, Illinois, Mary Lee (Robert) Ford of Albert Lea, Minnesota, Vernon ‘Butch’ (Paula) Graff of Bloomington, Minnesota, Thomas (Mary) Graff of Austin, Minnesota, Marilyn (David) Benson of Bloomington, Minnesota, Jonathon (Kristin) Graff of Austin, Minnesota, Margaret Graff of Edina, Minnesota, Martha Kaderabek of Austin, Minnesota; 21 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Marie Graff; his parents Ervin and Marie Graff; one sister, five brothers; his daughter-in-law Daisy Allen; and his son-in-law Dale Kaderabek.

The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. Keith Kleis and his nurse Lydia for their care, and the staff at Our House Memory Care Facility for their kindness and compassion.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 15, 2015, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Austin with Pastor Robert Bailey officiating. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Austin, with military rites by American Legion Post 91. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Memorials can be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Church, the American Heart Association, the MS Society, the Alzheimer’s Association, or recipient of donor’s choice. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.