Richard K. Graham, 92 of Viola, passed away at his home Monday, May 20, 2024. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 30, at Dennison Funeral Home, Viola. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 29, at Dennison Funeral Home, Viola. Burial will be at Calvary Lutheran Cemetery, New Windsor, at a later date. Memorials may be made to Viola Volunteer Fire Department. Online condolences at www.dennisonfuneralhome.com.
Richard was born to Louie and Birdie (White) Graham on August 15, 1931, in Moline. He married Ardythe Rosene on October 23, 1956, in Kahoka, MO. Richard proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. His many talents included working on the family farm; driving and repairing trucks for the school district and Coke Carlson in Rio; working as a machinist at Montgomery Elevator; and later serving as a corrections officer for the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department. He and Ardythe did amazing work repairing and restoring antique furniture. They loved their yearly fishing trips to Minnesota and made deep and lasting friendships of fellow fishermen. His biggest accomplishment was building the current family home with family and neighbors. He loved his family and treasured time spent with each family member.
Richard is survived by his wife, Ardythe Graham, Viola; children, Debra (John) VerStraete, Ridgway, CO, Becky (Carl) Anderson, Missoula, MT, and Mike (Gail) Graham, Ft. Worth, TX; grandchildren, Jessica VerStraete Hutton, Colorado Springs, CO, Caroline (Eddie) Shurtz, Nucla, CO, Nicole (Zach) Little, Billings, MT, Angela (Jared) Carbo, Denver, CO, Steven (fiancé, Lily Kopriva) Graham, Ft. Collins, CO, and Aaron Graham, Ft. Worth, TX; great grandchildren, Austin, Cooper, Ember, Lyla, and Payton; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Louie Graham; and sister, Marian Nesbitt.