Gerald Francis Griffin, age 85, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Sunday, June 19, 2011 at the Golden Living Center in Milbank. Funeral services were on Thursday, June 23, 2011 at St. Martin's Lutheran Church in Watertown with Pastor Paul Janke officiating. Interment was in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Watertown, SD. Military honors were conducted by the Codington County Post 17 of the American Legion in Watertown and South Dakota National Guard.
Pallbearers were all the grandchildren and their spouses: Shane/Denise Swenson - Ashley Griffin - Lance/Miriam Griffin - Steven Swenson - Brody/Jenny Griffin - Heidi/Fred Harbinson and Katie Griffin.
Gerald Francis Griffin was born September 13, 1925 at Thomas, SD to Arthur and Odeal (Boadwine) Griffin. He attended elementary and high school at Thomas, SD and graduated in 1944. Gerald graduated from Railroad Telegraphy School, Salt Lake City, UT in 1953. He was baptized at the Thomas Methodist Church and was confirmed and a member of St. Martin's Lutheran Church, Watertown.
He married Ruth D. Klatt at Emmanuel Lutheran Church at Grover, SD on May 3, 1953. Gerald farmed with his father until he entered the Army. In 1953 while attending Railroad Telegraphy School in Salt Lake City, Utah, he was employed at Armco Steel Corp. He was employed as a Railroad Telegrapher at Union Pacific Railroad at Rawlins and Evanston, WY. They returned to Watertown in 1954 and Gerald was employed at Metz "Old Home" Bakery, Watertown, SD until his retirement in 1987, and then was employed at Dynamic Engineering, Watertown until 1999 when he retired due to failing health.
He was a member of the American Legion Post 17, Watertown, SD, and former Member and Officer, Bakers and Confectioners Union 433, Watertown, SD. He was formerly a member of St. Martin's Men's Club and Sunday morning Bible Study.
Gerald was drafted into the US Army and served from November 1950 until he was honorably discharged in November 1952. He was in boot camp in Ft. Riley, Kansas and continued training at Camp Cooke, California. From there he served in Japan before being deployed to Korea where he served at Inchon and Pusan, Korea. After his tour in Korea, Gerald was a guard at a Prisoner of War camp in Japan until he was discharged. He was proud to have served his country, and kept in contact with several 'buddies' he met during his service.
Gerald was awarded the Bronze Star, and the following medals - Korean Service, United Nations, Good Conduct, Combat Infantryman's Badge, National Defense Service, Army of Occupation, Korean War Service - 50th anniversary.
Gerald became a resident of Golden Living Center, Milbank, SD in April of 2011.
Gerald enjoyed his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren – motorcycling, trains, gardening, music, especially country music, reading newspapers & magazines. When he was in good health, he enjoyed attending farm shows with his friend Ray Elmquist and grandson, Lance Griffin. He liked to visit with people and reminisce about many things.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Ruth – daughter and husband – Cindy and Rick Swenson, Milbank, SD – sons and wives: Jeff and Roxy Griffin and Brian and Deb Griffin all of Watertown, SD – daughter-in-law- Rose Stevens and her son, Taylor, Browns Summit, NC – brother & wife: Wes and Dorothy Griffin, Watertown – brothers in law and sisters in law: Mel Mahnke, Hudson, WI, Elden and Elaine Flury, Watertown, Ernest and Marlys Klatt, Henry, SD and Ruth Klatt, Watertown; seven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren - Bret, Ben, Isabella, Deacon and Cohen Griffin, Keslar and Kutler Swenson, and Freddy Harbinson.
He was preceded in death by a son, Scott, parents, Arthur and Odeal Griffin, his sisters, Beulah Mahnke and Sylvia Crom.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Graveyard Queen # 48695480 provided plot information. ~ 6-26-2022
Pallbearers were all the grandchildren and their spouses: Shane/Denise Swenson - Ashley Griffin - Lance/Miriam Griffin - Steven Swenson - Brody/Jenny Griffin - Heidi/Fred Harbinson and Katie Griffin.
Gerald Francis Griffin was born September 13, 1925 at Thomas, SD to Arthur and Odeal (Boadwine) Griffin. He attended elementary and high school at Thomas, SD and graduated in 1944. Gerald graduated from Railroad Telegraphy School, Salt Lake City, UT in 1953. He was baptized at the Thomas Methodist Church and was confirmed and a member of St. Martin's Lutheran Church, Watertown.
He married Ruth D. Klatt at Emmanuel Lutheran Church at Grover, SD on May 3, 1953. Gerald farmed with his father until he entered the Army. In 1953 while attending Railroad Telegraphy School in Salt Lake City, Utah, he was employed at Armco Steel Corp. He was employed as a Railroad Telegrapher at Union Pacific Railroad at Rawlins and Evanston, WY. They returned to Watertown in 1954 and Gerald was employed at Metz "Old Home" Bakery, Watertown, SD until his retirement in 1987, and then was employed at Dynamic Engineering, Watertown until 1999 when he retired due to failing health.
He was a member of the American Legion Post 17, Watertown, SD, and former Member and Officer, Bakers and Confectioners Union 433, Watertown, SD. He was formerly a member of St. Martin's Men's Club and Sunday morning Bible Study.
Gerald was drafted into the US Army and served from November 1950 until he was honorably discharged in November 1952. He was in boot camp in Ft. Riley, Kansas and continued training at Camp Cooke, California. From there he served in Japan before being deployed to Korea where he served at Inchon and Pusan, Korea. After his tour in Korea, Gerald was a guard at a Prisoner of War camp in Japan until he was discharged. He was proud to have served his country, and kept in contact with several 'buddies' he met during his service.
Gerald was awarded the Bronze Star, and the following medals - Korean Service, United Nations, Good Conduct, Combat Infantryman's Badge, National Defense Service, Army of Occupation, Korean War Service - 50th anniversary.
Gerald became a resident of Golden Living Center, Milbank, SD in April of 2011.
Gerald enjoyed his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren – motorcycling, trains, gardening, music, especially country music, reading newspapers & magazines. When he was in good health, he enjoyed attending farm shows with his friend Ray Elmquist and grandson, Lance Griffin. He liked to visit with people and reminisce about many things.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Ruth – daughter and husband – Cindy and Rick Swenson, Milbank, SD – sons and wives: Jeff and Roxy Griffin and Brian and Deb Griffin all of Watertown, SD – daughter-in-law- Rose Stevens and her son, Taylor, Browns Summit, NC – brother & wife: Wes and Dorothy Griffin, Watertown – brothers in law and sisters in law: Mel Mahnke, Hudson, WI, Elden and Elaine Flury, Watertown, Ernest and Marlys Klatt, Henry, SD and Ruth Klatt, Watertown; seven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren - Bret, Ben, Isabella, Deacon and Cohen Griffin, Keslar and Kutler Swenson, and Freddy Harbinson.
He was preceded in death by a son, Scott, parents, Arthur and Odeal Griffin, his sisters, Beulah Mahnke and Sylvia Crom.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Graveyard Queen # 48695480 provided plot information. ~ 6-26-2022
Gerald Francis Griffin, age 85, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Sunday, June 19, 2011 at the Golden Living Center in Milbank. Funeral services were on Thursday, June 23, 2011 at St. Martin's Lutheran Church in Watertown with Pastor Paul Janke officiating. Interment was in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Watertown, SD. Military honors were conducted by the Codington County Post 17 of the American Legion in Watertown and South Dakota National Guard.
Pallbearers were all the grandchildren and their spouses: Shane/Denise Swenson - Ashley Griffin - Lance/Miriam Griffin - Steven Swenson - Brody/Jenny Griffin - Heidi/Fred Harbinson and Katie Griffin.
Gerald Francis Griffin was born September 13, 1925 at Thomas, SD to Arthur and Odeal (Boadwine) Griffin. He attended elementary and high school at Thomas, SD and graduated in 1944. Gerald graduated from Railroad Telegraphy School, Salt Lake City, UT in 1953. He was baptized at the Thomas Methodist Church and was confirmed and a member of St. Martin's Lutheran Church, Watertown.
He married Ruth D. Klatt at Emmanuel Lutheran Church at Grover, SD on May 3, 1953. Gerald farmed with his father until he entered the Army. In 1953 while attending Railroad Telegraphy School in Salt Lake City, Utah, he was employed at Armco Steel Corp. He was employed as a Railroad Telegrapher at Union Pacific Railroad at Rawlins and Evanston, WY. They returned to Watertown in 1954 and Gerald was employed at Metz "Old Home" Bakery, Watertown, SD until his retirement in 1987, and then was employed at Dynamic Engineering, Watertown until 1999 when he retired due to failing health.
He was a member of the American Legion Post 17, Watertown, SD, and former Member and Officer, Bakers and Confectioners Union 433, Watertown, SD. He was formerly a member of St. Martin's Men's Club and Sunday morning Bible Study.
Gerald was drafted into the US Army and served from November 1950 until he was honorably discharged in November 1952. He was in boot camp in Ft. Riley, Kansas and continued training at Camp Cooke, California. From there he served in Japan before being deployed to Korea where he served at Inchon and Pusan, Korea. After his tour in Korea, Gerald was a guard at a Prisoner of War camp in Japan until he was discharged. He was proud to have served his country, and kept in contact with several 'buddies' he met during his service.
Gerald was awarded the Bronze Star, and the following medals - Korean Service, United Nations, Good Conduct, Combat Infantryman's Badge, National Defense Service, Army of Occupation, Korean War Service - 50th anniversary.
Gerald became a resident of Golden Living Center, Milbank, SD in April of 2011.
Gerald enjoyed his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren – motorcycling, trains, gardening, music, especially country music, reading newspapers & magazines. When he was in good health, he enjoyed attending farm shows with his friend Ray Elmquist and grandson, Lance Griffin. He liked to visit with people and reminisce about many things.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Ruth – daughter and husband – Cindy and Rick Swenson, Milbank, SD – sons and wives: Jeff and Roxy Griffin and Brian and Deb Griffin all of Watertown, SD – daughter-in-law- Rose Stevens and her son, Taylor, Browns Summit, NC – brother & wife: Wes and Dorothy Griffin, Watertown – brothers in law and sisters in law: Mel Mahnke, Hudson, WI, Elden and Elaine Flury, Watertown, Ernest and Marlys Klatt, Henry, SD and Ruth Klatt, Watertown; seven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren - Bret, Ben, Isabella, Deacon and Cohen Griffin, Keslar and Kutler Swenson, and Freddy Harbinson.
He was preceded in death by a son, Scott, parents, Arthur and Odeal Griffin, his sisters, Beulah Mahnke and Sylvia Crom.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Graveyard Queen # 48695480 provided plot information. ~ 6-26-2022
Pallbearers were all the grandchildren and their spouses: Shane/Denise Swenson - Ashley Griffin - Lance/Miriam Griffin - Steven Swenson - Brody/Jenny Griffin - Heidi/Fred Harbinson and Katie Griffin.
Gerald Francis Griffin was born September 13, 1925 at Thomas, SD to Arthur and Odeal (Boadwine) Griffin. He attended elementary and high school at Thomas, SD and graduated in 1944. Gerald graduated from Railroad Telegraphy School, Salt Lake City, UT in 1953. He was baptized at the Thomas Methodist Church and was confirmed and a member of St. Martin's Lutheran Church, Watertown.
He married Ruth D. Klatt at Emmanuel Lutheran Church at Grover, SD on May 3, 1953. Gerald farmed with his father until he entered the Army. In 1953 while attending Railroad Telegraphy School in Salt Lake City, Utah, he was employed at Armco Steel Corp. He was employed as a Railroad Telegrapher at Union Pacific Railroad at Rawlins and Evanston, WY. They returned to Watertown in 1954 and Gerald was employed at Metz "Old Home" Bakery, Watertown, SD until his retirement in 1987, and then was employed at Dynamic Engineering, Watertown until 1999 when he retired due to failing health.
He was a member of the American Legion Post 17, Watertown, SD, and former Member and Officer, Bakers and Confectioners Union 433, Watertown, SD. He was formerly a member of St. Martin's Men's Club and Sunday morning Bible Study.
Gerald was drafted into the US Army and served from November 1950 until he was honorably discharged in November 1952. He was in boot camp in Ft. Riley, Kansas and continued training at Camp Cooke, California. From there he served in Japan before being deployed to Korea where he served at Inchon and Pusan, Korea. After his tour in Korea, Gerald was a guard at a Prisoner of War camp in Japan until he was discharged. He was proud to have served his country, and kept in contact with several 'buddies' he met during his service.
Gerald was awarded the Bronze Star, and the following medals - Korean Service, United Nations, Good Conduct, Combat Infantryman's Badge, National Defense Service, Army of Occupation, Korean War Service - 50th anniversary.
Gerald became a resident of Golden Living Center, Milbank, SD in April of 2011.
Gerald enjoyed his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren – motorcycling, trains, gardening, music, especially country music, reading newspapers & magazines. When he was in good health, he enjoyed attending farm shows with his friend Ray Elmquist and grandson, Lance Griffin. He liked to visit with people and reminisce about many things.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Ruth – daughter and husband – Cindy and Rick Swenson, Milbank, SD – sons and wives: Jeff and Roxy Griffin and Brian and Deb Griffin all of Watertown, SD – daughter-in-law- Rose Stevens and her son, Taylor, Browns Summit, NC – brother & wife: Wes and Dorothy Griffin, Watertown – brothers in law and sisters in law: Mel Mahnke, Hudson, WI, Elden and Elaine Flury, Watertown, Ernest and Marlys Klatt, Henry, SD and Ruth Klatt, Watertown; seven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren - Bret, Ben, Isabella, Deacon and Cohen Griffin, Keslar and Kutler Swenson, and Freddy Harbinson.
He was preceded in death by a son, Scott, parents, Arthur and Odeal Griffin, his sisters, Beulah Mahnke and Sylvia Crom.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Graveyard Queen # 48695480 provided plot information. ~ 6-26-2022
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
