Warren R. Graf, 62, of West Bend, was called home to be with his Lord on, Sunday, October 25, 2015 at his home surrounded by loved ones, after he battled cancer.
He was born on June 19, 1953 to Ronald and Norma (nee Kallies) Graf in Bonduel, Wisconsin. He grew up in Bonduel attending St. Paul’s Lutheran elementary school and graduated from Bonduel High School, class of 1971. He received his B.S. in music education from Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska. Later he received a Director of Christian Education certificate from Concordia. On June 1, 1974, he was united in marriage to Debra Schulz at Christ Lutheran in Phoenix, Arizona. Warren taught music at Lutheran High East and also taught 8th grade at East Bethlehem in Detroit, Michigan. For two years, he was the Director of Joy, Inc., a contemporary Christian music group, which traveled the United States. He was a youth director at St. James Lutheran Church in Marion, Indiana; and a music director at Trinity Lutheran in Elkhart, Indiana. Before moving to West Bend, Warren drove coach busses and delivered mobile homes. He was the Minister of Music at St. John’s Lutheran Church in West Bend, Wisconsin.
Warren had an amazing ability to walk into a crowd of people and instantly make new friends. His light hearted humor and laid back personality was enjoyed by all. Warren was an avid Packer fan, enjoyed boating on Shawano Lake with family and friends, and loved to travel, especially to Ireland. He took other family trips to Israel, Egypt, Germany, England, France, Scotland, and Mexico. His love of his Lord Jesus Christ and his gift of music, have left a lasting legacy that impacted all who knew him. His purpose in life was inspired by a meaningful song, “May All Who Come Behind Us Find Us Faithful.”
Those Warren leaves behind to cherish his memory include his wife of 41 years, Deb; mother, Norma Graf; two children, Jonathan (Michelle) Graf of St. Louis, Missouri and Gabrielle (Rob) Steinbrenner of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; three grandchildren, Bennett Graf, Taylor and Cody Steinbrenner; sister, Carol (Timothy) Marsh of Green Bay, Wisconsin; brother Keith Graf of Bonduel, Wisconsin; Godmother, Arlene Schwandt of Orland Park, Illinois; many nieces, nephews, cousins; other relatives and friends.
A visitation will be held on Thursday October 29, from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., at St. John’s Lutheran Church, (809 S. 6th Ave.) West Bend.
A visitation will also be on Friday, October 30, at St. John’s Lutheran Church from 10:00 a.m. until noon. A funeral service celebrating Warren’s life will be at noon.
On Saturday, October 31, a visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until noon, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, (240 E. Green Bay St.) Bonduel, Wisconsin. Funeral service will be at noon. Burial will be at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery following the service.
Memorials to St. John’s Organ Fund in Warren’s name, in lieu of flowers, are appreciated by the family.
A heartfelt thank you to St. John’s Lutheran Church and Heartland Hospice for all their support, help, and care.
Myrhum-Patten Funeral and Cremation Service of West Bend has been entrusted with Warren’s arrangements. More information and online condolences may be expressed at www.myrhum-patten.com.