Mass of Christian Burial for John Lloyd Grad (age 79) of Andover, MN will be 10:30 AM Saturday, September 12, 2020 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 206 2nd St. Herreid, SD. Visitation will be Friday, September 11, 2020 starting at 6:30 PM with a Wake service to follow at 7:30 PM at the church. Interment will be in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery west of Herreid. John passed away peacefully at his home in Andover, MN. on Saturday, August 29, 2020.

John “Lloyd” was born June 24, 1941 to parents Frank and Cecelia Grad. Lloyd attended the Titland country grade school west of Mound City before attending the High School in Herreid.

After graduating high school in 1959 he married Joan Helen Weinzirl on June 7, 1962 in St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Herreid, SD.  They made their first home on a farm about 9 miles east of Herreid, SD and together they had 4 children; Bonita (died in infancy), Tom, Frankie Jo and Janet.

In 1969 they moved to Blaine, MN after Lloyd accepted a job offer with the Army Ammunition Plant (Arsenal) in New Brighton, MN.  They resided in Blaine until 1972, when they moved to Mound City, SD where Lloyd managed his brother Ray’s bar, the Friendly Tavern.  A little less than a year later they moved back to Blaine, MN and resided there for 27 years, during which Lloyd worked as an elevator mechanic and IUEC member for several Elevator Companies. He always took great pleasure in pointing out the buildings he had installed elevators in around the upper Midwest, and there are a lot of them from Wisconsin and Minnesota all the way to Montana.

In 1996 Lloyd and Joanie moved to Ortonville, MN to be closer to daughter, Janet and her family, and their siblings back in the Dakotas.  They were residents of Ortonville, MN until May 2016 when, with Joanie in poor health, they moved to Andover MN to be closer to Tom and Fran and their families.

Lloyd was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He was jack of all trades and could fix just about anything. In his spare time, he enjoyed camping and fishing but his favorite pastime hands down was playing cards, particularly Pinochle, which continued until a few months before he passed.

Lloyd is survived his 3 children; Tom (Julie) Grad, Deephaven, MN, Frankie Jo (Kevin) McNallan, Andover, MN and Janet (Chet) Messmer, Mesa, AZ, 9 grandchildren; Kristy (Jeff) Wessel, Laurie (Pat) Kincade, Ciara Grad, Jenna (Connor) O’Brien, Danielle (Andy) Peden, Marissa McNallan, Jake McNallan (Rochelle Koshalek), Tate (Sarah) Messmer, and Morgan Messmer, 2 great-grandchildren; Zoey & Teddy Wessel, and grandbaby Kincade expected in October.

His siblings/In-Laws; Arlouine Grad, Gwen Grad, Virlene (James) Kiefer, Cecilia Rueb (Doug Edgar), Fran (Harry) Serr, Linda (Jim) Masterson, Bob (Teresa) Grad and Joe (Sharon) Grad, Brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; Bernadette (Alvin) Fjeldheim, Beatrice (Jerry) Goetz and Joey (Wendy) Weinzirl along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Frank and Cecelia Grad, wife, Joan, brothers; Don, Ray and Leo Grad, niece Renee Lundberg, nephew Shawn Masterson, and grand-nephew Cole Grad. Parents-in-law, Joe and Ella Weinzirl, brother-in-law, Stanley Weinzirl, nephew, Dwight Weinzirl and infant daughter, Bonita Jane Grad.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home, 1201 W Grand Crossing, Mobridge, SD 57601.

1. Add to favourites
2. Report abuse