Reed A. Grafing

Rock Rapids, IA CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Reed Grafing, age 73, of Rock Rapids, IA died Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne, MN.

The visitation will be Sunday, September 28th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, with the family present at Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 AM, on Monday, September 29th at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids, with Rich Roste officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred. 

Reed Alan Grafing was born on July 11, 1952, in Rock Rapids, Iowa, the son of Arthur C. and Nema Mae (Foltz) Grafing. He was raised on the family farm between Rock Rapids and Doon, IA. Reed attended Central Lyon High School, graduating in 1970. He continued his education for a year at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, IA.

Reed was united in marriage to Bobbi Reynolds on September 18, 1971, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids. Together they made their home in Rock Rapids and were blessed with four children, Krista, Robin, Kacey and Brady. Reed worked for Foltz Construction for 17 years. He then worked a couple of years at IBP in Luverne, MN. In 1989 he began working at Lyon – Sioux Rural Water and later became Manager. He retired in 2017, after 28 years of service.

Reed was a devoted lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, where he took pride in helping with maintenance projects and lending a hand wherever needed. He faithfully served his community as a long-standing member of the Central Lyon Football Chain Gang and the Rock Rapids Volunteer Fire Department.

He especially treasured time spent with his brothers on the family farm, where they enjoyed cutting wood, hunting, fishing, mowing, and gardening together. Reed also cherished many family trips, including visits to a Minnesota Vikings game, Washington, D.C., Seattle, and the Black Hills.

A loyal Vikings fan, Reed followed his team passionately, yet he also took great interest in supporting any college or professional team that included a local athlete. Some of his happiest moments were spent cheering on his grandchildren’s sporting events—whether on TV, his iPad, or over the radio—which always brought him immense joy.

Reed fought a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer and recently entered the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne, MN, where he remained until this past Tuesday, September 23, 2025, when he died at the age of 73.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 54 years, Bobbi Grafing of Rock Rapids, IA; four children, Krista (Broc) Halseth of Sioux Falls, SD, and their children: Anna and Jake, Robin (Tim) Jager of Sioux City, IA, and their children: Tishaun, Latrell, Devaughn and Ametria, Kacey (Kendra) Grafing of Harbor Springs, MI, and their children: Porter, Sam, Harper, Artie and Boone, Brady (Heather) Grafing of Rock Rapids, IA, and their children: Regan and River; six siblings, Curt Grafing and Lynn Grafing, both of Rock Rapids, IA, Steve Grafing of Sibley, IA, Ann Honeyman of Ames, IA, Mark Grafing of Vermillion, SD and James Grafing of Minneapolis, MN; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.

Reed was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur “Bud” and Nema Grafing; parents-in-law, Ken and Darlene Reynolds; brother-in-law, Brian Reynolds; and infant granddaughter, Margaret Elizabeth Grafing.