Kenneth Hollis Graves, 81 of Duluth died June 3, 2022, in the serenity of the woods on his hunting ground. He is predeceased by his parents, Hollis & Josephine (Jazdzewski) Graves; daughter, Mary Elsenrath; son-in-law, Charles Thrasher; sister, Patricia Potswald; and brother-in-law, Robert Morris.
Ken was a lifelong resident of Duluth, graduating from Cathedral High School and the University of Minnesota Duluth. He married his high school girlfriend, Geneviève Prudhomme, on February 16, 1963. Besides being an exceptional husband, father and grandfather, Ken was known for his great sense of humor and infectious laugh. He was a legendary storyteller, providing his family and friends with tall tales of his past adventures. Ken enjoyed traveling to Europe, Alaska and Thailand. One of his favorite places to visit was Puerto Rico. He also enjoyed cross-country skiing, hunting, fishing in the boundary waters, and walking in the woods. Besides his family, his greatest love was the hunting cabin.
Ken is survived by his wife of 59 years, Genevieve Graves; children, Anne (Greg) Smith-Graves, Peter (Erica Wittmer) Graves, Michelle Thrasher and Melissa Aldridge; 10 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; siblings, Joanne (Michael) Dosen, Kathy (Dick) Frost, Rosemary (Dan) Bourgerie, Hollis (Vicki) Graves, Mike (Nancy) Graves; and brother-in-law, Bob Potsswald.
Visiting 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 9 at St. Joseph’s-Gnesen Catholic Church, 6110 Church Rd, Duluth, MN 55803 and continues Friday, June 10 at 10:00 a.m. until Christian Burial Mass at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer that donations be made to the Stella Maris Academy or the Damiano Center. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home 218-727-3555.
