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 a 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 by 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 great grand baby 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 beloved wife of 54 years, Joan Helen Grad, parents, Frank and Cecelia Grad, 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.

D a t e o f S e r v i c e

T i m e o f S e r v i c e

John Lloyd Grad June 24, 1941 ~ August 29, 2020

You left us peaceful memories.

Your love is still our guide,

And though we cannot see you

You are always

At our side.

Our family

Chain is broken

And nothing

Seems the same,

But as God calls

Us one by one

The chain will

Link again.

~Ron Tranmer~

IN LOVING MEMORY OF:

John Lloyd Grad 79 Years ~ 2 Months ~ 5 Days

BORN: PASSED AWAY:

June 24, 1941 August 29, 2020

Campbell County, South Dakota Andover, Minnesota

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL:

10:30 AM, Saturday, September 12, 2020

St. Michael’s Catholic Church Herreid, South Dakota

CLERGY: Fr. Tom Clement

LECTOR:

Danielle Peden

FAMILY MESSAGE:

Tom Grad

ORGANIST: Deb Schuetzle

CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS:

“Like A Shepherd” ~ “Here I Am Lord” “Be Not Afraid” ~ “Though The Mountains May Fall”

USHERS:

Jon Grad ~ Loren Grad

CASKETBEARERS:

Tate Messmer ~ Jake McNallan ~ Wayne Kiefer Ray Serr ~ Jeff Fjeldheim ~ Tom Miklos

HONORARY CASKETBEARERS:

All Lloyd’s Many Nieces and Nephews

INTERMENT:

St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery

Herreid, South Dakota

Arrangements Entrusted to Kesling Funeral Home, Mobridge, South Dakota