8/19/2020 9:56:00 AM Memorial service for Marilyn Uptagrafft Aug. 22 at Grace Free
The memorial service for Marilyn " Marde" Uptagrafft, 76, a longtime Stewartville resident will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020 at Grace Evangelical Free Church in Stewartville with Rev. John Grams officiating. Mrs. Uptagrafft died on Friday, May 8, 2020 of complications following a heart attack, at Mayo Clinic Rochester-St. Marys Campus, where she had been a patient for the one week. Marilyn Kay DeVries was born on Nov. 11, 1943 in Mitchell, South Dakota to Frank and Adella (Ruff) DeVries. She grew up in Corsica, South Dakota where she attended school, graduating from Corsica High School in 1961. She attended one year of college at Northwestern University in Iowa, before she was employed as a nursing assistant at St. Josephs Hospital in Mitchell. Marilyn was married on Dec. 13, 1963 in Corsica to Richard L. Uptagrafft. Following their marriage the couple lived in Mitchell where Marilyn was employed at the First National Bank as a teller. They moved to Stewartville in 1969, where they began raising their boys and have continued to make their home. Marilyn was a homemaker and was employed at Federal Land Bank in Rochester for 20 years, before her employment with Grafe Auction as an auction day clerk for a number of years. She was employed at Mayo Clinic in the Gonda Building Gift Store for 13 years until her retirement. Dick was employed for 20 years at WHKS and Co. in Rochester as an engineer aide. He was owner/operator of Uptys Screenprinting in Stewartville for 20 years until his retirement. Marilyn was a member of Grace Evangelical Free Church in Stewartville. She enjoyed reading, knitting, going to dinner with Richard and visiting with their many friends. She loved time spent with her sons and grandchildren and especially enjoyed following their school and sporting activities. Marilyn is survived by her husband, Richard and her two sons, Todd (Trisha) of Racine and Doug of Plainview; five grandchildren, Kayla Uptagrafft, Krista Uptagrafft, Shane Uptagrafft, Lauren Uptagrafft and Emma Uptagrafft; her sister, Lori (Kevin) Sheldon and her brother, Sylvan DeVries, both of Souix Falls, South Dakota. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister-in-law, Darlene DeVries. A time of visitation for family and friends will take place from 9-10 a.m. on Saturday morning at the church. Safe social distancing and wearing of masks will be required. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Marilyn are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com.
