Kay Graff

Kay A. Graff, 63, Bismarck, died October 20, 2008, at St. Alexius Hospital after an extended battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 10:30 AM at McCabe United Methodist Church in Bismarck, with Rev. Art Scanson officiating. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5:00 – 9:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, and will continue on Friday one hour prior to the service at the church. Kay was born on January 14, 1945, in Clovis, NM, to Ned and Mamie Cruse, the youngest of nine children. Her early years of life were spent near Friona, TX. When Kay was five years old, the family moved to Pierre, SD, to farm and ranch. She graduated from Riggs High School in Pierre, SD, in 1963. In 1967, Kay moved to Mandan, ND, where she raised her three children. She moved to Bismarck in 1987 and worked for Rolf Sletten, attorney, and the North Dakota Board of Medical Examiners until her retirement in 2002. In 1987, she began her long-term relationship with Benny Graff which culminated in their marriage on January 10, 1998. Throughout her life, her happiest times involved her relationships with people and the care of her home. She maintained at least weekly contact with her children, family members and friends using the telephone and computer to hear and communicate with them. She loved small gatherings where conversation was the center point of the evening along with some good food and wine. She loved to attend concerts, movies, and local athletic events. She enjoyed traveling and the Tuscany area of Italy was her favorite. However, after any vacation had lasted about ten days, she was ready to head home. Kay is survived by her husband, Benny, Bismarck; two daughters, Angela Mellon-Powers Michael, Medford, MA, and Terri Mellon, Cleveland, OH; one son, Jay Mellon Katina, Cuyahoga Falls, OH; one step-daughter, Heidi Thomas Hollowell, Columbus, OH; one step-son, Jason Kaaren Graff, Cincinnati, OH; seven grandchildren, Erin and Sean Hollowell, Columbus, OH, Mamie and Ewan Powers, Medford, MA, Zara and Zayla Graff, Cincinnati, OH, and Henry Mellon, Cuyahoga Falls, OH. She is also survived by her sisters, Wilma Baxter, Colorado Springs, CO, and Connie George Dailey, Santa Maria, CA; her brothers, Max Peggy Cruse, Ft. Pierre, SD, and Rex Cruse, Fairbanks, AK; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her brothers, Charles, N.M., Glen, and Jimmy. The family would like to thank the oncology nursing staff at St. Alexius Hospital for all the compassionate, loving, and kind care they provided to Kay. Special thanks go to Dr. F.E.K. Addo and his nurse, Jackie, for their ongoing care during her illness. In lieu of flowers, donations in Kay’s memory can be made to the Dakota Zoo.

Kay Graff

January 14, 1945 - October 20, 2008