Invite friends and family to read the obituary and add memories.
We'll notify you when service details or new memories are added.
You're now following this obituary
We'll email you when there are updates.
Select your format and elements to print
Flora May
Graves
May 1, 1926 — Jul 25, 2026
Thursday
Sunrise Funeral Home, Crematory & Cemetery
10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)
Thursday
Sunrise Funeral Home, Crematory & Cemetery
11:00 am - 12:00 pm (Central time)
Flora "May" Graves, of Proctor, Minnesota, died on July 25, 2026, at the remarkable age of 100.
May was born on May 1, 1926, in St. Petersburg, Florida, to Samuel and Aileen (Pavola) Hultman. She grew up on Green Street in West Duluth and attended Denfeld High School, graduating on D-Day, June 6, 1944. She met a Cromwell boy, Lawrence Graves, and the two were married on November 18, 1944, beginning a loving partnership that lasted 50 years.
May was a dedicated volunteer, as she spent many years volunteering and later working in the gift shop at Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, where she was honored as Volunteer of the Year. She also served as president of the Duluth Accordionaires Auxiliary, traveling the world with the organization, and was a member of the West Duluth American Legion Post 71 Ladies Auxiliary. Above all, May enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who kept her young.
May was preceded in death by her husband; her sisters, Margret Halverson and Mary Krieger; and her brothers, Arnold, Everett, and John Hultman.
She is survived by her children, Susan Hoffman, Daniel (Carolyn) Graves, and Sheree (Jeff) Paulus; her grandchildren, Bridget (James) Peterson, Benjamin Hoffman, Nicole (Brian) Boder, Jed (Jennifer) Graves, Brianna (Jason) Johnson, Andrew (Stephanie) Graves, and Marissa (Joe) Kleiman; her great-grandchildren, Carly (Cameron) Hetland, Jay (Faith) Boder, Mason and Reese Peterson, Makayla Hoffman, Makenna and Paisley Kleiman, Jayce and Jaster Johnson, Laine and Samantha Graves, Austin, Madison, Aurora, and Jaxon Graves; her great-great-granddaughter, Ella Boder; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
A life well lived! Visitation will be held Thursday, July 30, from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral service, followed by burial at Sunrise Funeral Home and Cemetery, 4798 Miller Trunk Hwy., Hermantown. A luncheon will follow at 1 p.m. at West Duluth American Legion Post 71, 5814 Grand Ave., Duluth.
Arrangements by Sunrise Funeral Home and Cemetery.
Visits: 71
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors