Eric Grahn

Eric Grahn, age 39, of Atwater, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, February 8.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 13, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Atwater. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday, February 12, at Peterson Brothers Atwater Funeral Home in Atwater (www.petersonbrothers.com) and one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Atwater Youth Wrestling Program.

Eric Glen Grahn was born March 22, 1975, in Litchfield, Minnesota, to Gary and Zella (Tagtow) Grahn. He attended elementary school in Atwater and graduated from Atwater-Grove City High School in 1993. On February 15, 2003, he was united in marriage to DeLisa Kragenbring. To this union two beautiful children, Giselle and Gradyn, were born.

Eric began his career at Jimmy's Pizza in Atwater as soon as he got his driver's license. Life then took him to Kansas where he worked at Pizza Hut and doing landscape work for his uncle Scott. This work paved the way for his interest in working the ground with his hands and equipment. He became an operator of underground boring equipment which eventually took him around the country. In the late 1990's he settled back in Minnesota and became employed by Quam Construction in Willmar. He loved working for them and was a dedicated employee. He had worked himself into his present position of foreman.

Time spent with family was very precious to Eric. Giselle's dancing and Gradyn's wrestling were his favorite events to watch and enjoy. Eric was also introducing the kids to shooting sports as he looked forward to having them join him in the fields and sloughs. He was an excellent shot and a keen eye for duck identification. He also shared his passion for fishing and spent hours on the water with his family.

Eric's gardening skills were evident in his backyard, which was filled with award winning produce and berries. He also was an excellent cook and could create some incredible dishes. Eric was a trivia buff. It was as if he could recall anything he had ever seen or heard. His most recent passion was his BMW motorcycle. He loved the freedom of the open road and had become very knowledgeable on almost every make and model on the market.

Eric will be deeply missed and never forgotten.

Eric is survived by his wife, DeLisa; his children, Giselle (8) and Gradyn (5); his parents, Zella Link and Gary (and Lori) Grahn; a brother, Darron Grahn; stepbrothers, Derek Schultz, Mitch (and Rachel) Link and Greg (and Cheryl) Link; his nieces and nephews, Naya Grahn, Sammy Grahn, Stella Link and Grace Link; maternal grandparents, Gerald and Jody Tagtow; stepgrandmother, Lynne Grahn; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Glenn and Donna Grahn; and stepfather, Joel Link.