OBITUARIES

October 11, 1941 ~ September 7, 2022

Dee Graves was born on October 11, 1941 to James Farley and Dora Winnie Mae (Shadden) Graves in Tellico Plains, TN and passed away peacefully on September 7, 2022.

Dee’s Memorial Service will be at 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 1st at Westside Covenant Church, 1009 1st Street Aurora. In honor of Dee the family asks that red be worn as that was his favorite color. He didn’t follow the Huskers but he loved the color red. Please send messages, condolences & memories of Dee to www.higbymortuary. com. Share a funny story or a great memory you have of Dee. Memorials may be given to the Aurora animal shelter to honor Dee’s love for his dog Jiggs.

Dee moved to Ontario, CA at the age of nine. He left school in the 8th grade to work for his brother- in-law Bill Black to learn the construction trade. He became an expert in his craft and was known for his skill, attention to detail and overall beautiful workmanship. He co-owned Graves Concrete Construction with his brother Leon in Aurora for a time.

Dee moved to Aurora in 1965. He was united in marriage to Donna Rudy of Marquette on February 25, 1967 and remained married for 29 years. From their marriage, Dee and Donna had three children Darren, DeAnna and Dorinda. They made their home on Highway 34 where Dee moved his business and continued his construction trade.

Dee’s talent is seen throughout Aurora, Hamilton County, across the state of Nebraska and even in Las Vegas where he laid the cement work for the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. Locally his talent built the Alice M. Farr Library, the Aurora Gymnasium, the Iams building and warehouses, numerous Stuckey’s Travel Centers from North Dakota to Texas, the ethanol plant in Hastings and Aurora, the Pioneer Trails Dam, golf courses, and may homes in the Aurora area. His most special projects were building Dorinda’s home in Phillips, a custom deck for DeAnna’s home in Colorado Springs, Colo. and a custom oversized doll house for his children and grandchildren.

Dee enjoyed his garden, his dogs and being outside. You could always find him in the winter up early to go hunting or at the shooting range. He especially enjoyed his grandchildren and teaching them to shoot.

Dee is preceded in death by his parents James Farley Graves and Dora Winnie Mae (Shadden) Graves, his brothers Jimmy, Gilbert, Leon and his sister Nadine.

He is survived by his memory are his children Darren (Shannon) Graves of Aurora, DeAnna (Tim) Skrastins of Colorado Springs, Colo. and Dorinda (Brant) Fastnacht of Phillips; his companion of 25 years, Marilyn Ostendorf; and his five grand grandchildren, Abby (Josh) Schumacher, Hannah Skrastins, Cheyanne Graves, William and Alyssa Fastnacht and his sister Lorene of Las Vegas, NV.

Dewitt ‘Dee’ Graves