Esther Graff

Esther Haas Graff, 97, Bismarck, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2016, at Mount Olivet Careview Home in Minneapolis, MN. Services will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, August 3, at Bismarck Baptist Church, 2211 Laforest Ave., Bismarck, with Rev. Allen Finger officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Tuesday, August 2, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E Divide Ave., Bismarck. Burial will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck. Esther was born January 4, 1919, in Goodrich, ND, to Fred and Caroline (Eckman) Haas; the youngest of seven children. She grew up near Goodrich and graduated from Goodrich High School in 1937. She received her teacher’s certificate and taught school in the country school system for three years. Esther married Bennie Graff on May 13, 1944, and they lived and farmed in the Goodrich area. In 1965, they moved to Bismarck where she worked at the Baptist Home for 22 years until retirement. Her loving husband Bennie passed away June 2001. Esther enjoyed reading, embroidering, word puzzles, and putting puzzles together. She loved cooking German dishes to share with family and friends. After her retirement, she was blessed to babysit for so many wonderful families. She watched them grow up, graduate from high school and college, as well as get married and raise their own families. They were the light of her and Bennie’s retirement years. In addition to being a devoted wife, and a loving and caring mother, she had many wonderful friends. She will be remembered for her giving spirit, her soft-spoken voice, a twinkle in her eye, and her gentle touch of kindness. Brenda would like to thank the caring and attentive staff at Mount Olivet. Thanks to the staff at Grace Lutheran Hospice for the care given during her final days. Thanks to all Minneapolis and Bismarck friends/relatives who visited Esther on many occasions. She was blessed with a wonderful family and many dear friends. Many thanks to very dear friends who dedicated their time to her during her stay at Mount Olivet. Esther is survived by her daughter, Brenda Graff Boff, Richfield, MN; and many wonderful nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Martha (Fred) Schneider, Helen (Jake) Oster, Lydia (Jake) Felchle; her brothers, Ted (Edna) Haas, Adam (Rose) Haas, Emanuel (Martha) Haas; and one infant daughter, Lynette Marie Graff. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Mount Olivet Careview Home, 5517 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55419, or Grace Hospice, 1510 11th Ave. S, Suite 105, Minneapolis, MN, 55404.