John E. Graczyk

John E. Graczyk, 70 of Ravenna passed away Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at Grand Island Regional Medical Center. A Funeral Mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Ravenna with Father Richard Piontkowski officiating. A rosary/prayer service will be 5:00 p.m. Monday, January 29, 2024 at the church with the family receiving friends until 7:00 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Condolences may be shared online at http://www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services. John was born May 24, 1953 in Kearney, NE to Edmund and Anna (Ropers) Graczyk. He was raised on the family farm Northeast of Sumner. John attended S.E.M., graduating with the class of 1971. He went on to attend Central Community College in Hastings. John and Kris where united in marriage on October 18, 1974 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Ravenna (where the Graczyk family wedding wheelbarrow tradition began). John worked for T&L Irrigation in Hastings as a welder from 1974-1976 while Kris finished nursing school. Every day there instilled in him his love for farming and ranching and the gratitude of never having to punch a time clock. The couple made their home near Ravenna where they raised their family and continued to farm and ranch. John enjoyed spending time in his shop fabricating and finding new solutions for everyday problems. He found value in everything and everyone. Most of all, John was proud of his family and the lives they had created. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Kris Graczyk of Ravenna; children, Chris (Michelle) Graczyk of Kearney, Tony (Erin) Graczyk of Grand Island, Michael (Carrie) Graczyk of Rockville, and Jessica (Drew) Schuller of Ravenna; grandchildren, Christian, Autumn, Jaden, and McKinnon Graczyk, Morgan, Mason, Madisyn and Maxton Schuller; mother, Anna Graczyk of Sumner; siblings, Mary (Bill) Dawes of Inman, KS, Jim Graczyk of Sumner, Jaime Graczyk of Elm Creek, and Marilyn (Ray) White of McCool Junction; mother-in-law, Bea Urwiller of Ravenna; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ron (Barb) Urwiller of Ravenna, Randy (Penny) Urwiller of Hawkins, TX and Rob (Christie) Urwiller of Ravenna; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends. John was preceded in death by his father; father-in-law, Richard Urwiller; grandson, Elijah Graczyk; sisters-in-law, Cindy Graczyk and Sherry Graczyk; and nephew, Ben White.

John E. Graczyk

May 24, 1953 - January 23, 2024