Obituary: Graedel, Calvin, Jr.
Age 89
He was born in Irby, Lincoln County, Washington on June 10, 1923.
He graduated from Odessa High School in 1942.
Cal was in the Army and the Marine Corps.
He served in Imo Jima where he was wounded and received a purple heart.
After the military he attended Gonzaga University.
Cal owned and operated the Graedel Insurance Agency in Odessa.
He farmed the family farm for 24 years.
He was a member of the VFW, the Spokane Club and the Masons.
Cal and his wife Donna moved to Spokane in 1974 and bought the Nelson home on West Sumner Avenue.
He owned Gator McClusky’s, a night club at Hauser Lake, Idaho.
He became a china painter and repaired antique china.
He was a member of the china painters club and received many awards for his hand painted china plates.
Cal was a member of the Railroad Historical Society, and he had a train village set up in his basement.
He was very articulate and made many things himself.
He was one of a kind.
Cal moved to Harbor Crest in 2005 and purchased a home.
He enjoyed it and his retirement.
His daughter Judy preceded him in death in 1978.
Cal is survived by his wife Donna of Spokane, Washington; son Calvin III of Seattle, Washington; grandchildren Tana Graedel of Seattle, Heidi Farnam of Las Vegas, Nevada, Hal Haase (Ronda) of Gig Harbor, Washington, Koley Haase (Dina) of Moses Lake, Washington, Kris Sheeran of Texas; great-grandchildren Justin Pukitis, Jerad Pukitis, Hilari Haase, Jori Haase, Ciera Haase, and Grasie Sheeran, and great-great-granddaughter Claire Pukitis.
At his request there will be no service.
He was cremated and entombed at Fairmount Memorial Park in the Mausoleum.
There will be a celebration of his life in June for the family with a get together at the Davenport Hotel.
When I stand before God at the end of my life I would hope that I would have not a single bit of talent left and could say, “I used everything you gave me”.
Good bye Cal, we will miss you.