Services for Marilyn “Pat” Graftaas
Marilyn Patricia “Pat” Graftaas, 81, of Clearbrook, Minnesota, passed away from her earthly home to her Heavenly home on Monday morning, August 12, 2019 at the Fosston Hospital. We feel blessed that our Lord spared her pain, and that she was alert and cheerful in the days preceding her death, enjoying the company of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and siblings.
Pat was born on January 28, 1938 at her home in Berner, Minnesota, to parents Henry and Leola (MeLander) Grone. She was Baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and held a lifelong trust in the Lord. The First Baptist Church in Clearbrook and the Samhold Lutheran Church in Gonvick were both important in her spiritual life. Pat graduated from Gonvick High School in 1955. She played the bass drum in the band and was considered quite an athlete in many sports. On August 13, 1956, Pat was united in marriage to Robert Taflin and to that union 5 children were born: Stephen, Roberta, Renea, Scott and Stewart. Their first years of marriage were spent on the Iron Range, but they settled in Clearbrook to raise their family and became lifelong residents. They were married 25 years and Robert passed away on September 15, 2004. In 1985, Pat and Stanley Graftaas renewed their high school acquaintance, which led to their marriage on January 10, 1986. They shared a love of dancing and travel. Stanley passed away on April 13, 2009. Pat learned the basics of cooking and baking from her mother, and at a young age honed these skills and business experiences by working for Evelyn Brandt and Dorothy Gunelius at the Felix Café in Gonvick. In 1962, she opened “Pat’s Café: at the Clearbrook Bowling Alley. Pat received the Golden Knife/Butter Award in 1978. She operated her business there until 1984 when she built a new restaurant on Main Street Clearbrook. Well known for her delicious pastries, breakfast and Sunday Dinners, business thrived. Pat’s Café was a big supporter of local events as a way to give back to loyal patrons and a valued community. Part of her legacy was involving children, and grandchildren and other family members in the family business. She sold the restaurant in 2014. The demand of business did not keep Pat from enjoying other interests: family with their music and sport events, playing cards (especially Whist), graciously hosting Christmas dinner for all the family when her mother could no longer do so, playing softball into her fifties, a lifelong love of bowling and National competition and she loved watching and cheering on the Minnesota Twins. She was a member of various organizations such as: the Samhold Lutheran Church in Gonvick, the American Legion Auxiliary, Clearbrook/Leonard Senior Center, and the WIBC Bowling Association for 40 years. She cherished taking trips to see her son and daughter in Las Vegas, NV. With the onset of Alzheimer’s, Pat entered the Essentia Living Center in Fosston in October of 2018, where she was happy and involved until her death. Pat was known as an awesome cook, hard worker, dedicated wife and mother, and had a very giving soul.
Thank you Lord, for giving us Pat. A beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. We celebrate her for the good person she was, kind and loving, hardworking, giving and forgiving, unassuming and non-judgemental, her easy demeanor, generous smiles and laughter. Our heart will hold your memory until we meet again.
She is survived by her children-
Stephen Taflin of Bagley, MN
Roberta (Paul) Braaten of Cleabrook, MN
Renea (Wade) Greenlee of Carson City, NV
Scott Taflin of Las Vegas, NV
Stewart (Amy) Taflin of Bagley, MN
6 Grandchildren- Jerrid, Jandi, Jody, Jackie Lynn, Quinlan and Lindsay.
9 Great Grandchildren- Preston, Paige, Parker, Jaiden, Ariah, Brytin, Kiana, Jesse, and Katie.
Three sisters – Carolyn Snobeck of Motley, MN
Pamela (Larry) Berg of Clearbrook, MN
Linda (Scott) Rousseau of Minnetonka, MN
One brother – Blaine (Helene) Grone of Clearbrook, MN
Several nieces, nephews and cousins
She is preceded in death by her husbands, Robert Taflin and Stanley Graftaas; Parents, Henry & Leola; and grandson, Brooks Greenlee, Sister -Arlene Vadnais; Nephew – Patrick George; Sister-in-law – Gloria Narveson and Brother-in-law – Jerry Snobeck.
Messages of condolence may be sent to ceasefuneralhome.com
