Ronald Frank Graunke, “Ron” age 75 of Delano passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, December 12, 2019. Ron was born on March 2, 1944 in Delano, MN to George and Evelyn Graunke. He is number seven of fourteen siblings. He served in the US Army for two years and was stationed in Germany. He married the “neighbor girl” and the love of his life, Audrey on May 24, 1965 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in New Germany. Their union was blessed with three children and six grandchildren. Ronnie was a member of the Operating Engineer’s Local 49B and worked for Tri-State Drilling for 39 years.

Ronnie had a larger than life personality. He was an avid outdoor enthusiast. He loved camping, fishing and went on many memorable hunting trips with his sons and brothers. His “catch of a lifetime” was a 195# halibut in Alaska in 2004! Ronnie loved to “tinker”, take trips to the cabin, give ATV rides to the grandkids and go to breakfast with his Tri-State buddies and his “Wednesday Wildlife Crew”. He loved to host parties at their home in Watertown for the Graunke family, play cards and drive his sweetheart around in his 1966 Buick Convertible and his “Lil Red Express”. He loved to travel, and he and Audrey visited all 50 states.

Ronnie is survived by his wife of 54 years Audrey; children Lori Green, Jeff (Lori) Graunke and Barry (Amy) Graunke. His grandchildren include: Megan, Jason, Calin, Reed, Ben and Chet. His siblings include: Patty Snodgrass (Larry), Lois Svoboda, Richard (Fran), Frank, Leroy (Blythe), Roger (Ginger) Graunke and Carol Poliwoda. He is also survived by sister-in-law Leona Fiecke and many nieces and nephews.

Ronnie is preceded in death by his parents George and Evelyn, mother and father-in-law Art and Evelyn Domjahn, step father-in-law Alvin Domjahn, siblings Glenn “Bud”, Dale, Dennis, Barb and Judy Graunke and Marlys Winsemann and brothers-in-law Gene Fiecke, Leo Svoboda and Duane Poliwoda.

Funeral services were held on Monday, December 16, 2019 at 11 a.m. at the Watertown Evangelical Free Church in Watertown, Minnesota. Military Honors followed the service. Visitation took place on Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Iten Funeral Home in Delano, Minnesota. Visitation continued on Monday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church prior to the service. Private family inurnment will be in the Watertown Public Cemetery at a later date.