Loralie Graff

Loralie J. Graff, 64, passed away on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Missouri Slope, Bismarck.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, April 1, 2024, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Visitation will be prior to the service from 11 am to 1pm. A celebration and burial will take place at a later time.

Loralie Jannelle Graff was born on April 25, 1959, the daughter of John L. and Norma Jean (Stevens) Olson. She was raised and educated in Barrie Township.

On July 15, 1977, she married Brian Graff at Barrie Church, rural Walcott. They lived in Fargo for a short time before moving to the Graff Family Farm. Loralie worked at the grocery store in Kindred and also helped on the farm. 

In 2002, they moved to Fort Ransom. Loralie continued her strong work ethic. She worked at the Lisbon Super Value and also ALCO, which later became ShopKo.

Throughout her life, Loralie found immense joy in supporting her children's activities, attending sports events, horse shows, and 4H gatherings without fail. She was an active and valued member of local churches, including Gol Church (Kindred), Barrie Lutheran (rural Walcott) and Preston Church (Fort Ransom), where she shared her musical talents by playing the piano and participating in various women's groups. Loralie was known for having amazing food and desserts at the holidays, with even having to hide the desserts from Evan & Brian to make sure others would get them. She enjoyed snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and playing cards, especially hand and foot. Brian and Loralie also enjoyed traveling and camping with their friends and family while their children grew up. Loralie had a soft spot for animals, big and small, especially horses, which she loved to ride any chance she had. She also found joy in planting flowers, cross stitching and making blankets.

In 2012, Loralie encountered a difficult journey after being diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, which spread to her brain in 2015. Despite these challenges, Loralie remained resilient and continued to exemplify strength and grace in the face of adversity. In 2017, she and Brian relocated to Bismarck before Loralie's health necessitated a move to Missouri Slope in 2021.

She was survived by her husband Brian, Bismarck; daughter, Nicole (Ryan) Hartl, and their children, Luke and Emmalie, all of Bismarck and son, Evan Graff, Nome, ND; mother, Norma Jean Olson, Park River, ND; siblings, Lynn Olson, Leonard, ND, Leann (Dan) Vollmer, Willow City and Larissa (Kerry) Schmitz, Park River; sister-in-law, Pamela (Bud) Graff-Corbin, Fargo and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her father, John L. Olson and mother and father-in-law, Oswald and Cathryn Graff.

The family would like to express their deepest Thank You to Missouri Slope North Campus and CaringEdge Health Services both of Bismarck for helping the family with Loralies journey.