Helen Graef Obituary

Helen Irene Graef, 83, of Stanford, passed away Sunday, September 3, 2023 in Lexington, Kentucky. Irene was born May 17, 1940, in JACKSON COUNTY, Kentucky, to the late Eugene Lane and Ruth (Allen / Lane) Marsee. She recently celebrated 60 years of marriage to her loving husband, Ronald Graef, whom she wed on July 20, 1963, in Newtown, Ohio. She served the Lord faithfully as a pastor's wife for 35 years at Evangel Baptist Church in Taylor, Michigan and also served previously at First Baptist Church in Stryker, Ohio; Tri-Lakes Baptist Church in Columbia City, Indiana; and also as interim at Bethesda Baptist Church in Brownsburg, Indiana; and Walnut Ridge Baptist Church in Waterloo, Iowa. She was a member of Grace Fellowship Church in Stanford, Kentucky. She lived out the great commandment and the second commandment given by Jesus in Matthew 22 in her actions, her interactions and her prayers, extending God's love to her family, her church family, her friends and people she encountered around the world. She was devoted to her family, from caring for her husband and three sons to spending time with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other relatives. She held degrees from Sue Bennett College, Cedarville College, Central State University and Wayne State University, and she worked as a teacher and as a registered nurse. She was deeply interested in genealogy and enjoyed researching and learning about her family's history, and she had a keen interest in Civil War-era history. In addition to her husband, Irene is survived by her three sons, Steve (Lori) Graef of Toledo, Ohio; Tom (Gela) Graef of Stanford; and David (Monika) Graef of Kentwood, Michigan. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, David (Randie Megan) Graef of Waddy, Kentucky; Jessica Allen of Danville, Kentucky; Tyler (Ellen) Graef of Toledo, Ohio; Hannah Graef of Stanford; Aidan Graef of Stafford, Virginia; Abby Graef of Kentwood, Michigan; and Olivia Graef of Kentwood, Michigan; and five great-grandchildren, Ryenne, Aubrey, Primrose and Heath Graef, all of Waddy; and Annabella Allen of Danville. Irene is also survived by her brother, Mike (Wendy) Marsee of Junction City, Kentucky. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Millie Manuel, and her stepfather, Jack Marsee. Care Cremation and Funeral Service is honored to be entrusted with final care.