Person Page - 95

     Barbara Jean Graner was born on 28 March 1942 at Mason City, Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa.^1,2 She was the daughter of Lewis Ferdinand Graner and Frances Mary Seiz. Barbara in Des Moines-IA 1977, according to obituary of father. Barbara Jean Graner married John Alitz in 1960. Barbara Jean Graner lived in 1977 at Des Moines, Polk Co., Iowa.

Following obituary from Iles Funeral Home:

Barbara Jean Alitz
March 28, 1942 - May 23, 2013
Resided in Des Moines, IA
Barbara Jean Alitz, 71, passed away at home on Thursday, May 23, 2013. She grew up in Mason City and graduated from Holy Family Catholic School. Barbara married John Alitz in 1960. They made their home in Runnells, IA where they raised their four children: twin sons, John and Joe, son, Jim and daughter, Janna. They celebrated 53 years of marriage. Barb loved her family, her church and her work. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Des Moines. Barb was a dedicated employee of Southridge HyVee, Des Moines for 27 years. Barb enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She also enjoyed gardening and collecting antiques.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Francis Graner; and two brothers, Lewis and Jack Graner. She leaves behind her husband, John; children, John (MaryKay)Alitz, Joe (Katie) Alitz, Jim (Tracy) Alitz and Janna (Ryan) Wheatly; 12 grandchildren, Terran, Josh, Ashland and Adia Alitz, Nick, Tyler and Tommy Alitz, Alexis Alitz, Katherine Vega and Christopher Ebert, and Luke and Ella Wheatly; siblings, Mildred (Norm) Mondahl, Marylou (John) Behm, Patricia (Larry) Szymeczek, and Joan Evans (Joe Ricketts) and their families.

Visitation will be 5-7:00 p.m., Monday, May 27, 2013 at Iles Funeral Homes – Grandview Park Chapel, 3211 Hubbell Avenue, Des Moines, IA, followed by a rosary. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 28 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Des Moines. Burial will be at St. John's Catholic Cemetery rural Cumming, IA. Donations may be directed to St. Joseph Catholic Church. - See more at: http://www.ilesfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Barbara-Jean-Alitz/Des-Moines-IA/1211084#sthash.raSl8pLO.dpuf

Published in Des Moines Register on May 26, 2013.² She died on 23 May 2013 at Des Moines, Polk Co., Iowa, at age 71.² She was buried on 28 May 2013 at St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Cumming, Warren Co., Iowa.²

     Erin Graner is the daughter of John Ray Graner and Cheryl (?) Erin Graner and Scott Martin were engaged.

     Joan Kay Graner married James Redeker. Joan Kay Graner is the daughter of Lewis Ferdinand Graner and Frances Mary Seiz.

     John Ray Graner was born on 19 January 1948 at Mason City, Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa.^1,2 He was the son of Lewis Ferdinand Graner and Frances Mary Seiz. Is a twin. John in Phoenix-AZ 1977, according to father's obituary. John Ray Graner lived at Phoenix, Maricopa Co., Arizona. He married Cheryl (?) circa 1968.² The cause of death was cancer.² John Ray Graner died on 5 May 2008 at Glendale, Maricopa Co., Arizona, at age 60.²

John 'Jack' Graner

John "Jack" Graner, 60, of Glendale, Ariz., passed away peacefully on Monday (May 5, 2008). Jack was born Jan. 19, 1948 in Mason City to Lewis and Frances Graner. He is survived by Cheryl, his wife of almost 40 years; son, Matt (Emma) Graner; daughter, Erin (fiance Scott Martin) Graner; and two granddaughters, Kathryn and Julia Graner; as well as his siblings, Mildred (Norman) Mondahl, MaryLou (John) Behm, Patricia (Larry) Szymeczek, Barbara (John) Alitz, Lewis (Harriet) Graner, and his twin sister, Joan Evans. Jack was a strong, hardworking and compassionate family man who gallantly battled cancer over the past four years. Through his faith in God, family and friendship he endured and persevered until the Lord was ready to call him home. The family will celebrate his life with memorial services at 10 a.m. Monday, May 12, at Phoenix Memorial Park 200 W. Beardsley Road, Phoenix, Ariz. The inurnment will follow the service.

Globe-Gazette
Mason City, Iowa
10 May 2008, Sat • Page 8.²

     Lewis Ferdinand Graner was born on 22 May 1902 at Plainview, Wabasha Co., Minnesota.^1,2 Lewis Ferdinand Graner was a Gas Station Operator. He married Frances Mary Seiz, daughter of Thomas John Seiz and Ada Amanda Perkins, on 17 March 1933 at Nora Springs, Floyd Co., Iowa. Lewis Ferdinand Graner lived in 1960 at Mason City, Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa. He died on 17 September 1977 at Mason City, Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa, at age 75.^3,2 He was buried on 20 September 1977 at Elmwood St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City, Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa.^3,2 His Social Security Number was 484-36-6992 issued in Iowa, Social Security Death Index (b- 22May1902 d- Sep1977).

The following obituary from The Globe Gazette newspaper in Mason City, Iowa, Monday, Sep 19, 1977, page 2, column 1.
Funeral services for Lewis F. Graner, 75 of 2625 N. Carolina, who died Saturday at a Mason City hospital, will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Hogan-Bremer Colonial Chapel. The Rev. Robert Hogan of the Mason City Team Ministry will officiate and burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery.
Mr. Graner owned and operated Graner Shell service station on N. Federal for 32 years, and was in the gas business all his life. Survivors include his wife Frances; five daughters, Mrs. Norman (Millie) Mondahl, Harrison, Ark; Mrs. John (Mary Lou) Behm, Mason City; Mrs. Larry (Patricia) Szymecek, Sierra Vista, Ariz; Mrs. John (Barbara) Alitz, Des Moines, and Mrs. James (Joan) Redeker, Mason City; two sons, Lewis Jr. Sylmar, Calif., and John, Phoenix, Ariz. Also, a sister, Mrs. Charles (Isa) Krueger, Plainview, Minn; four brothers, Joe, Herb and Walt, all of Los Angeles, Calif., and Rob, Plainview, 17 grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

     Lewis Ferdinand Graner Jr. was born on 6 October 1945 at Mason City, Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa.^1,2 He was the son of Lewis Ferdinand Graner and Frances Mary Seiz. Lewis Ferdinand Graner Jr. also went by the name of Lewie.² Lewis in Sylmar-CA 1977, according to father's obituary. He married Harriet Hage on 10 April 1993.² Lewis Ferdinand Graner Jr. lived in 2008 at 1729 E. Shasta St., Casa Grande, Pinal Co., Arizona.³ He died on 28 December 2008 at Casa Grande, Pinal Co., Arizona, at age 63.³

Following online obituary from Globe Gazette Newspaper:

Lewis Graner Jr.

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. — Lewis “Lewie” Graner Jr., 63, of Casa Grande, Ariz., passed away peacefully on (Dec. 28, 2008) of cancer.

Lewie was born on Oct. 6, 1945 in Mason City, Iowa, to Lewis and Frances Graner.

He is survived by Harriet, his wife of almost 16 years; stepchildren, Scott (Elizabeth) Hage, Deborah (Rudy) Hanuman and Michael Hage; grandsons, Samuel and Joseph Hage, Connor Hage, De and fiancée Katie Olson, Chasity and Dustin Hanuman; as well as his sisters, Mildred (Norman) Mondahl, Marylou (John) Behm, Patricia (Larry) Syzmeczek, Barbara (John) Alitz, and Joan Evans; sister-in-law, Cheryl Graner; several nieces and nephews and many, many friends.
Lewie attended Holy Family Elementary and Newman High School in Mason City, Iowa. He received his last rites on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008, and had great comfort in this blessing.
Lewie began his life as an iron worker before becoming a painting contractor. He lived many years in California, returning to Iowa to spend quality time with his family.
He married Harriet Hage on April 10, 1993. They lived in Nora Springs before moving to Casa Grande, Ariz. He then acquired his real estate license where he and Harriet worked as a team for Century 21 Arizona Foothills.
Fishing was his passion and he loved all sports, especially the Vikings football team. He was a fun-loving, happy man who made friends with any stranger. He enjoyed gardening and growing tomatoes.
Lewie was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Frances Graner; and a brother, John “Jack” Graner.
An open house was held at his home, 1729 E. Shasta St., Casa Grande, from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009. Following at 5:30 p.m., a Mass was said in his honor at St. Helen of the Cross Roman Catholic Church, 205 W. 8th St., Eloy, AZ.
Lewie had a long and courageous battle with tongue cancer. Words cannot express how he will be missed.²




Following published in the Globe Gazette (Mason City, Iowa) on 17Jan2009:

Lewis Graner Jr.
CASA GRANDE, Ariz. - Lewis "Lewie" Graner Jr., 63, of Casa Grande, Ariz., formerly of Mason City, died Dec. 28, 2008, of cancer.
An open house was held at his home, 1729 E. Shasta St., Casa Grande, from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3. Following at 5:30 p.m. a mass was said in his honor at St. Helen of the Cross Roman Catholic Church, 205 W. Eighth St., Eloy, Ariz.³

The cause of death was tongue cancer.^2,3

     Mary Louise Graner was born on 16 April 1935 at Mason City, Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa.^1,2 She was the daughter of Lewis Ferdinand Graner and Frances Mary Seiz. Mary Louise Graner graduated in 1953 at Holy Family Catholic High School, Dubuque, Dubuque Co., Iowa.² She married John Wesley Behm on 2 April 1955 at Silver Spring, Montgomery Co., Maryland.² Address correct as of 10Apr94, when called Mary. Mary Louise Graner lived in April 1994 at 16232 330th St., Mason City, IA. She died on 25 February 2019 at Mason City, Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa, at age 83.² She was buried on 28 February 2019 at Elmwood St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City, Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa.²

     Matt Graner is the son of John Ray Graner and Cheryl (?) Matt Graner married Emma (?)

     Mildred Frances Graner is the daughter of Lewis Ferdinand Graner and Frances Mary Seiz. Mildred Frances Graner married Norman Clarence Mondahl on 6 June 1953 at Nashua, Chickasaw Co., Iowa.

     Patricia Ann Graner is the daughter of Lewis Ferdinand Graner and Frances Mary Seiz. Patricia Ann Graner married Larry Dean Szymeczek, son of John L. Szymeczek and Katherine (?), on 18 August 1956 at Mason City, Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa.

     Henry M. Grant married Madge E. Stutler.

     James Douglas Grant was born on 1 October 1917 at Bend, Deschutes Co., Oregon. He was the son of Henry M. Grant and Madge E. Stutler. James Douglas Grant married Joan Lisa Havel, daughter of Joseph Havel and Anna F. Sbritsky, on 7 December 1963 at Marin Co., California.¹ James Douglas Grant died on 22 October 1998 at Nicasio, Marin Co., California, at age 81.

     Male Grant married Dawn McLean, daughter of Neil McLean and Joy Enid Featherstone.¹

     Bernadette Dealina Grathen was born on 1 February 1916 at Fairport, Delta Co., Michigan.¹ She married Russell Eugene Ruple, son of John E. Ruple and Mabel Christman, on 29 July 1949 at Indiana. Bernadette Dealina Grathen died on 4 July 2012 at Salt Lake Co., Utah, at age 96.¹ She was buried at Utah Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park, Bluffdale, Salt Lake Co., Utah.^2,1

     Richard Edward Graubard married Paula Denise Squires, daughter of Howard James Squires and Joyce H. Thielen, on 19 August 1972 at Alexandria, Virginia.¹ Richard Edward Graubard and Paula Denise Squires were divorced on 12 September 1979 at Alexandria, Virginia.

     Elizabeth Alexandra Gray is the daughter of Methodius Kenneth Gray and Gloria Mae Sorenson.¹ Elizabeth Alexandra Gray married A.J. Richter.²

     Evangeline Alice Gray is the daughter of Methodius Kenneth Gray and Gloria Mae Sorenson.¹ Evangeline Alice Gray married Kirk Duane Shellum on 9 July 1977 at Dakota Co., Minnesota.²

     Kirsten Elizabeth Gray is the daughter of Stephen Arthur Gray and Linda Marie Harn. Kirsten Elizabeth Gray and Peter Davis Leahy were engaged on 13 February 2017. Kirsten Elizabeth Gray married Peter Davis Leahy, son of Timothy Leahy and Anne (?), on 9 September 2017 at Germanic-American Institute, 301 Summit Ave., St. Paul, Ramsey Co., Minnesota.

     Maralee Gray was born on 29 June 1921.¹ She married Kenneth Wilbur Rohrer, son of Elden Van Sykel Rohrer and Alta Elizabeth Harn, on 13 February 1941 at Missouri. Maralee Gray died on 17 November 1999 at age 78.¹ She was buried at White Chapel Memory Gardens, Canton, Fulton Co., Illinois.¹

     Mary Ellen Gray was born on 19 October 1952 at Richfield, Hennepin Co., Minnesota.¹ She was the daughter of Methodius Kenneth Gray and Gloria Mae Sorenson. Mary Ellen Gray graduated in 1970 at Burnsville High School, Burnsville, Dakota Co., Minnesota. She married Daniel Miller in 1985.

Mary died from a blood clot in the lungs and heart very suddenly. She had fallen when on a hike in Taylor Falls (Minnesota) a couple weeks earlier with friends. She had got a large cut in her leg. Mary took off Friday 12 Nov 2004 to go to the doctor, as her leg was red and swollen with shooting pains. The doctor ordered a MRI for Monday 15 Nov 2004, as he thought it was only inflamed. Saturday morning 13 Nov 2004 when her husband came home from the library getting her a book for the book club, he found she had died in their apartment. Mary Ellen Gray died on 13 November 2004 at age 52. She was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., Minnesota, Plot: 2nd Addition, Block 36, Lot 7, Space 1

There is no burial record or death certificate on file at Oak Hill Cemetery for Mary Ellen Gray. It would appear her name on the marker of her Mother is a memorial remembrance only.² Following is obituary for Mary:

Mary Ellen Gray, 52, of The Towers in DT Mpls., died peacefully but unexpectedly of natural causes Nov. 13 at home. Beloved wife of Daniel Miller for 19 years; also survived by mother, Gloria Gray; brother, Stephan (Linda) Gray; sisters, Elizabeth Gray (AJ Richter)and Evangeline (Kirk) Shellum; nephews, William Broad (Dorothy Johnson), Douglas (Rosanne) Broad, Ryan Gray, Keith Shellum; nieces, Nicole Shellum, Kirsten Gray; grand-nephew, Michael Broad; aunt, Betty (Norris) Anderson & family; close family friend, Marvin Larson & family; Dan's mother, Olive Miller and his sisters, Denise (Richard) Snyder, Diane Leiran (Paul Carney); his brother, Duane (Donna), nieces and nephews. Her Cockatiels, Sydney and Adelaide were dear to Mary's heart. Preceded in death by grandparents, Josephine & Arthur Sorensen and father, Kenneth Gray. Born at home in Richfield, raised in Burnsville graduating BHS in 1970, attended the U of M. Always adventurous, Mary lived in New York City and then California before returning home. She married Dan in 1985. An employee at U-Care MN, Mary's lifelong career was in Heath Care Insurance. Mary's many interests included first and foremost her love of reading books and her book club of 15 years; working for her causes at the MN State Fair; supporting DFL party and serving as a delegate; working as an election judge; traveling to San Francisco, Chinatown and Muir Woods. Always helpful, Mary was known for her generous heart, enjoyed time spent with family and friends and was a beloved aunt to their children. A memorial gathering will be Wednesday, Nov. 17 from 6-9 pm, program at 7pm, at the Cremation Society of MN, 4343 Nicollet Ave S. Memorials may be directed to Friends of the Mpls. Public Library.

Published on November 16, 2004
Star Tribune.

     Methodius Kenneth Gray was born on 19 March 1917.¹ He married Gloria Mae Sorenson, daughter of Arthur Toppenberg Sorenson and Josephine (?), on 23 August 1947.² His Social Security Number was 475-01-1003 , issued in Minnesota before 1951.¹ Methodius Kenneth Gray died on 22 April 1984 at Hennepin Co., Minnesota, at age 67.² He was buried on 26 April 1984 at Oak Hill Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., Minnesota, Plot: 2nd Addition Block 36 Lot 8 Space 3.³

Following from Find a Grave website:

Kenneth L Gray
Birth:      Mar. 19, 1921
Death:      Apr. 22, 1984
Hennepin County
Minnesota, USA

burial 26 April 1984
------
with ok from daughter, add following note:

[Send Reply] RE: Kenneth Gray
Dear Larry - We're wondering if it's possible for Dad's surviving family (his children) to leave a note of explanation on his page regarding the wrong birth date and false name "Methodius" on his stone so that anyone doing genealogy work would know they had the right person when viewing this site. Kenneth Gray was born in 1917 according to his adoption paperwork, school records, the 1920 and 1930 census, etc. When he returned to the US after WWII from civilian construction work in the Azores he reinvented himself for reasons unclear to us, making himself four years younger and using "Methodius" for his first name when he met and married our mother. He was able to get a new social security account using that false birth date which is why the death record says 1921. We had no idea of any of this until several years after his death when we came across some of his records and then started checking on everything.
Added by Elizabeth Gray on Sep 19, 2016 3:51 AM

Inscription:
Methodius Kenneth Gray is the name on the memorial marker.

Burial:
Oak Hill Cemetery
Minneapolis
Hennepin County
Minnesota, USA
Plot: 2nd Addition Block 36 Lot 8 Space 3

Created by: LJP
Record added: Dec 18, 2014
Find A Grave Memorial# 140202073.^4,3

     Ryan Michael Gray is the son of Stephen Arthur Gray and Linda Marie Harn.

     Stephen Arthur Gray is the son of Methodius Kenneth Gray and Gloria Mae Sorenson. Stephen Arthur Gray married Linda Marie Harn, daughter of William Oscar Harn and Donna Ann McCarthy, on 14 July 1973 at Faribault, Rice Co., Minnesota.

     Ruth Torbert Graybill was born on 22 December 1911 at Gatchellville, York Co., Pennsylvania. She married Henry Leroy Bortner on 28 August 1937 at East Berlin, Adams Co., Pennsylvania. Ruth Torbert Graybill died on 2 February 2002 at Norwich, Chenango Co., New York, at age 90.

Oneonta, New York The Daily Star Newspaper, Monday, 02 Feb 2002:
Ruth Bortner

NORWICH — Ruth Torbert Bortner, 90, formerly of Unadilla, passed away Saturday, Feb. 2, 2002, at the Valley View Manor Nursing Home in Norwich.
She was born Dec. 22, 1911, daughter of the late David Ambler and Mary Lithgo (Graybill) Torbert in Gatchellville, Pa.
Ruth married Harry Leroy Bortner on Aug. 28, 1937, in East Berlin, Pa. He predeceased her on July 8, 1996.
She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Sylvia and David Schrader of Shippensburg, Pa., and Rebecca and Edmund Hillick of Mount Upton; and five grandchildren, David L. Schrader Jr., Daniel O. Schrader, Sandra Schrader, Amy Hillick and Nathan Hillick.
She was predeceased by three sisters.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Feb. 16, 2002, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Glen Rock, Pa., at 11 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Valley View Manor Nursing Home, Park Street, Norwich, NY 13815.
Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Inc., 21 Main St., Sidney.

     Harriet Greeley was born on 28 June 1885 at Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois. She married Alvah Crocker Jr., son of Alvah Crocker and Charlotte Trowbridge Bartow, on 19 October 1907 at Fitchburg, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. Harriet Greeley married Norman Harrower in 1920. Harriet Greeley died on 5 July 1980 at Illinois at age 95.

     Frances Marie Green was born on 18 April 1921 at Flint, Genesee Co., Michigan.¹ She married Thomas Shapton Purdy, son of Paul Bradley Purdy and Lila Sophia Shapton, on 7 August 1945 at Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois. Frances Marie Green lived at 13216 Lakesie, Fenton, Genesee Co., Michigan. She died on 11 April 2006 at age 84.

     Harry Lawrence Green was born on 22 April 1892 at Salem, Washington Co., Indiana.¹ He married Brownie Frances Harn, daughter of Kenley E. Harn and Grace Truman Burton, on 11 June 1923 at Indiana. Harry Lawrence Green died on 25 January 1973 at age 80.¹ He was buried at Mitchell City Cemetery, Mitchell, Lawrence Co., Indiana.¹

     Dorothy Virginia Greene was born on 25 March 1923 at Faribault, Rice Co., Minnesota, Certificate Number:      1923-27639.³ She married Daniel Miller. Dorothy Virginia Greene was the daughter of Erven John Greene and Emily Cleo McCarthy. Dorothy Virginia Greene and Daniel Miller were divorced. Soc Security lists last residence as Las Vegas, Clark Co., NV. Her Social Security Number was 475-20-7677 issued in MN. Dorothy Virginia Greene died on 24 February 1984 at Las Vegas, Clark Co., Nevada, at age 60.⁴

     Erven John Greene was born on 5 February 1897 at Faribault, Rice Co., Minnesota.⁴ Erven John Greene was a Postal Clerk, retired. He was the son of Martin Greene and Olivia Peterson. Erven John Greene married Emily Cleo McCarthy, daughter of Florence James McCarthy and Florida Louise LaPierre, on 29 June 1922 at Faribault, Rice Co., Minnesota.⁵ Erven John Greene died on 29 July 1967 at Las Vegas, Clark Co., Nevada, at age 70.⁴ The cause of death was arterial thrombosis. He was buried on 2 August 1967 at Bunkers Memory Gardens Cemetery, Las Vegas, Clark Co., Nevada.^4,6 Death Cert. states Erven in World War I. Social Security Death Index (b- 05Feb1897 d- Jul1967). Name is Erven Greene in Social Security Death Index. His Social Security Number was 469-09-1680 issued in MN.

     James Erven Greene was born on 22 March 1934 at Hutchinson, McLeod Co., Minnesota, Certificate Number:      1934-14545.³ He was the son of Erven John Greene and Emily Cleo McCarthy. James Erven Greene lived in 1967 at 1324 Pacific, Las Vegas, Clark Co., Nevada. He married Rosalie Day on 13 April 1970 at Las Vegas, Clark Co., Nevada. James Erven Greene died circa 1974.³ Frank Trombley has Jimmy Green died 1991 Las Vegas? He died on 28 March 1990 at Clark Co., Nevada, at age 56.