Warren R. Graf, 62, of West Bend, was called home to be with his Lord on Sunday, Oct. 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.
Warren grew up in Bonduel, attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Elementary School and graduated from Bonduel High School, Class of 1971. He received his Bachelor of Science degree 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 eighth grade at East Bethlehem in Detroit, Michigan. For two years, he was the director of Joy Inc., a contemporary Christian music group that 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 buses and delivered mobile homes. He was the minister of music at St. John’s Lutheran Church in West Bend.
Warren had an amazing ability to walk into a crowd of people and instantly make new friends. His lighthearted humor and laid-back personality were enjoyed by all. Warren was an avid Packers 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; three grandchildren, Bennett Graf, Taylor and Cody Steinbrenner; sister, Carol (Timothy) Marsh, of Green Bay; brother, Keith Graf, of Bonduel; godmother, Arlene Schwandt, of Orland Park, Illinois; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, Oct. 29, from 4-7 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 809 S. Sixth Ave., West Bend. A visitation will also be on Friday, Oct. 30, at St. John’s Lutheran Church from 10 a.m. until noon. A funeral service celebrating Warren’s life will be at noon. On Saturday, Oct. 31, a visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until noon at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 240 E. Green Bay St., Bonduel. 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.