Carl Grafenauer

Carl M. Grafenauer, 72, of Central Lake, passed away Sat. Jun. 25, 2016. He was born into life on December 31, 1943 in Milwaukee, WI, and grew up in West Allis, WI, where he graduated from Central High School in 1962. After graduation, Carl served in the U.S. Army and was a proud Vietnam Veteran. He later pursued his higher education as a non-traditional student at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) and was affectionately nicknamed "Gramps" by his college classmates. In 1967 he began a 20-year career at General Electric in West Milwaukee, WI as a welder, before moving to the machine shop where he ran conventional and CNC machines and was later promoted to Group Leader of Machining. It was there that he met and fell in love with Theresa "Terry" (Moczynski). On December 5, 1980, they were joined in marriage in Milwaukee, WI, and seven years later they moved to Central Lake, MI to become proprietors of the "Book Nook", a new and used bookstore. An avid reader since childhood, Carl poured his passion for literature into his business and the quest to help readers of all ages find "the right book". He will always be remembered for his broad genre knowledge and notable ability to play matchmaker to readers and writers. Carl loved reading, especially science fiction novels and mysteries; Agatha Christie and Rex Stout were certain favorites. He enjoyed cooking, baking bread, conquering crossword puzzles, catching walleye, double-skunking opponents in cribbage, watching his favorite television shows, and cheering for the Green Bay Packers. In his earlier years, he could be found bowling on a league at Kuglitches, organizing a Cub Scout meeting, remodeling a room, or riding his motorcycle cross country. He is survived by his sisters Jane (John) Schamell of Roscoe, IL and Cathy (Dale) Harmeyer of Greenfield, WI, children Mary (Andrew) Dantzler of Oostburg, WI, Carissa Rex of Austin, TX, Coreen (Jamie) Robbins of Montgomery, AL, Jason (Laura) Grafenauer of Central Lake, MI and Andrew (Kim) Grafenauer of Madison, WI. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren, three great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Theresa "Terry", father Andrew Grafenauer, mother, Constance "Connie" Grafenauer, and brother Fredrick "Rick" Grafenauer.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, July 2, at 10:30 am at Southern Cemetery, Central Lake. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the CL VFW Post 6985, PO BOX 245, Central Lake, MI 49622 or the Central Lake District Library, PO BOX 397, Central Lake, MI 49622.

Arrangements have been handled by the Central Lake Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign his online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.