Gilbert Thomas Graves, 77, of Elkton, returned to the Lord, surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, Oct. 8 at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.
Gilbert was born on March 26, 1932 in Chicago, the son of Thomas and Sylvia (Lutz) Graves. He graduated from high school in Elmhurst, Ill. He married Marie Jorgenson on Feb. 1, 1958 at St. Augustine Church in Austin. They resided in the Elkton area where Gilbert farmed and also worked as a fork lift driver for Miami Margarine/Holsum Foods Co. in Albert Lea. Following his retirement from there he worked for the King Maintenance Co. in Austin.
First in Gilbert’s life were his faith and his family. He was a member of the Sacred Heat Catholic Church in Adams. He enjoyed gardening and raising flowers as well as fishing and golfing.  He also had an artistic side, and enjoyed painting and singing. 
Gilbert was preceded in death by his parents.
 Gilbert is survived by his wife, Marie Graves, Elkton; children, Cheryl (Dick)  Nold, Oronoco, Minn., Shelia (Bill) McBride, Preston, Minn., Sylvia (Larry)  Churchill, Grand Meadow, Minn.; Christopher  Graves, North Mankato, Minn.; Ann (Jerry)  Johnson, Brooklyn Center, Minn.; Peter (Tracy)  Graves, Blooming Prairie, Minn., Joey (Christine)  Graves, Elkton, Minn., Kevin (Kathryn)  Graves, St. Peter, Minn.; grandchildren, Dee (Brent), Heather, Brian, Kenneth, Jacob, Hillary, Angelica, Devlin, Riley, Rachel, Josh, Cole, Samantha, Lily, Marcus, Emily and Noah; sister, Carol  Wilkemeyer, Rushford, Minn.; brother, Ray (Pat)  Graves, Elkton, Minn.;  and nieces, nephews and cousins.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Oct. 12, 2009 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father James Seitz officiating. Interment will be in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Adams. Visitation will be at Adams Funeral Home on Sunday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Monday from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. There will be a rosary service at 4:30 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m. on Sunday. There will be no reviewal at the church on Monday.
Casket bearers will be Christopher Graves, Peter Graves, Joey Graves, Kevin Graves, Dick Nold, Bill McBride, Brian Churchill and Jerry Johnson.