Jack W. Grahn

Funeral Services for Jack Grahn of Roseau will be held on Friday, July 17, at the Roseau Community Church at 11:00 a.m.  Visitation will be on Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at Helgeson Funeral Chapel in Roseau with a devotional service at 7:00 p.m.

Jack Warren Grahn was born on July 16, 1927 in Roseau, MN to Lydia (Danielson) and Knute Grahn.

Jack attended school in Roseau.  He married Jean Karlsson on October 10, 1948 at the First Lutheran Church in Salol. He worked for Skolnes Construction from 1948-49.

Jack enlisted in the Navy on June 13, 1945 in Great Lakes, Illinois and was entered into active service on June 28th, 1945. He trained with the Marines at Camp Pendleton and was sent to Japan as a Seabee for cleanup of the Atom bomb in 1946.  Jack served until his honorable discharge on August 4, 1946.   

Jack owned O. K. Machine in Roseau for many years with his brother Don.  He enjoyed living and working in Roseau.

Jack loved to fly!  He was rated to fly single engine, twin engine, float planes, and commercial planes. He was instrument rated.  He spent weekends flying Lake of the Woods for Swede Carlson and many weekends doing airshows with his son Greg.  For the past several years he and Jean spent winters in Arizona.  Jack spent most of his time at the airport flying with his friends.  He was also an instructor so if anyone needed flying hours he would take them up and help them log the hours.  A special time in Jack’s flying career was when he was asked to fly a B-17 with one of his friends.  Jack was in his glory and gladly accepted the offer.

Jack loved his children and grandchildren.  He liked getting the grandkids new toys, and when Cabbage Patch Kids came out Jack sent his friends in Canada to find some for his grandchildren since they were sold out in Roseau.  He enjoyed taking care of them. 

Jack Grahn passed away on July 11, 2015 at LifeCare Manor in Roseau.  He was 87 years old.

Jack is survived by his wife Jean; son Greg (Arlene) of Roseau, and daughter Debbie (Jim) Groves of Gilbert, Arizona;  brother Don of Salol; sister Janice Dumoulin of California; grandchildren: Erin (Eric) Grahn, Dana Grahn, Charlene Grahn, Brita (Wes) Kimble, Ben, Olivia, and Katelynn Groves.  He is also survived by one great-granddaughter, Carley Kimble, and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son Jimmy in 2002, and his parents.

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