Marilyn Graw-Vavro

Marilyn Graw-Vavro, 73, Fort Worth, Texas, formerly of Hager City, died Saturday, February 3, 2007 at Arlington Memorial Medical Center in Arlington, Texas after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was born January 22, 1934 in Red Wing to Arther and Florence (Peterson) Oberg. She graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1951. She founded the Harbor Bar in July 1964, which she owned and operated for 20 years. She married David G. Vavro on Oct. 18, 1986 in Texas and they celebrated their 20th year of marriage this past year. She was a member of the Burnson-Lillyblad VFW Post #1218 and a 41-year member of the Leo C. Peterson American Legion Post #54 Ladies Auxiliaries in Red Wing and Red Wing Elks Lodge BPOE #845. She loved the River and boating, going RV?ing, and she enjoyed playing cards and crafts, computer games, puzzles and shopping. She loved socializing with people and kept in contact with friends and family using her computer. She touched many lives in her lifetime and will be dearly remembered and missed by all. She is survived by her husband David G. Vavro of Fort Worth, Texas; son, Bradley (Nona) Smith of Hager City; two daughters, Jacqueline Smith of Hutchinson, Minnesota and Jeanne Smith-Gish of Red Wing; one grandson Joshua Smith Red Wing; two sisters, Peggy Oberg-Small of Hager City and Sandra Winblad Williamson of Lincoln City, Oregon; one brother, Roy Whipple of Hager City; two stepsons, Brad Schultz of Florida, David W. Vavro Jr. or Fort Worth, Texas, and step-daughter Julie (Jeff) Vavro-Dietz of Woodbury, Minnesota and five step-grandchildren, Clare Vavro, Grace, and Alexa Dietz of Woodbury Minnesota and Sierra, Marley, & John Flueger of Hager City. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Jeri Rhae Smith and husbands, Virgil Smith and Dick Graw. Funeral service will be 12 noon Saturday at Svea Lutheran Church in Hager City with Reverend Carol Ann McArdell officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Troy Whipple, Brian Stogdill, Joshua Smith, John Flueger, Jerry Barth, Don Winblad, and Patrick Schultz. Visitation will be 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and for one hour prior to the service at the church. Following the funeral service a celebration of Marilyn?s life will be held 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Harbor Bar.