Obituary of Charlene Graham

Services for Charlene Graham, 89, of Lake Park, will be held 10:30 am, Tuesday, October 24, 2017, at United Methodist Church in Lake Park. Interment will be at Silver Lake Cemetery in Lake Park. Visitation will begin at 5 pm, Monday, October 23, 2017 at United Methodist Church in Lake Park, with the family present from 5-7 pm. Charlene Louise (Tay) Graham was born on May 22, 1928 in Boone, Iowa to Florence (Whitney) and M. Owen Tay. After graduating from Spirit Lake High School, she took classes in communications and worked for the telephone company. She married Rodney Graham on August 7, 1949. They started married life on the family farm and in 1952, Charlene spent time in Italy while Rodney served in the military. She enjoyed dancing and her knitting club. She was a member of the Federated Womens Club of Excelsior for many years and also a member of the Lake Park United Methodist Church. Charlene and Rodney moved into town in 1990 and also enjoyed wintering in Mesa, Arizona for many years. Throughout their years together, they enjoyed many trips and cruises. Charlene passed away October 21, 2017 at Hawkeye Care Center in Milford, Iowa at eighty-nine years of age. She is survived by her loving husband, Rodney; sons, Brad (Francel) Graham of Lake Park, Iowa, Kipper (Becky) Graham of Wichita, Kansas and Sterling (Jan) Graham of Lake Park, Iowa; six grandchildren, Charlana (Dan) Gubbins, Beth (Justin) Clarke, Benjamin (Kate) Graham, Monte Graham, Meridith Graham and Summer Graham; five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Bradley Graham in 2003; sisters, Jeanne Arp and Donna Cummings.