Joseph Roland Graves

Apr 20, 20210

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July 13, 1962 - April 18, 2021

Joseph Roland Graves, 'Zegaanakwad," 58, of Red Lake , MN died Sunday, April 18, 2021, surrounded by his family and friends, at his home in Red Lake, MN.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00pm, Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at the new Red Lake Center in Red Lake, MN, officiated by Victoria Irons Graves. A wake will begin at 2:00pm, Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at the new Red Lake center and will continue until the time of the service. Interment will be in family burial grounds, in Joseph's yard in Red Lake, MN under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home in Bemidji. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the family requests that everyone attending wears masks and practices social distancing.

Joseph Roland Graves was born on July 13, 1962 in Red Lake Minnesota to Royce Sr. and Bernadine (Sargent) Graves. Joe attended and graduated from Red Lake High School in 1980. He played a number of sports in high school and carried on his love of sports throughout his lifetime. He worked for Pro Painters and Red Lake Sanitation. He did various other jobs painting houses and dry walling. Joe played baseball and softball with many different sports Teams throughout his sports career. One of his favorite teams he played for was 'The Tribe'. Joe was an avid sports fan and followed his nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. One of his favorite moments was winning the first place softball tournament at United Tribes. That game was amazing as Earl Sargent Jr, Gary Sargent, Gary Graves, Rodney Dorr, Randy Dorr and others blasted through the Bismark classic. Joe met the Love of his Life, Jill Wilson, in 1999 and the adventure began. They married on August 13, 2011. The wedding was held on the cliff at their home on the south shore of Red Lake. Joe and Jill found love and enjoyment spending time by the campfire, listening to pow wow music and cooking with their family and friends. Family was a great source of joy for Joe. He always looked forward to family get togethers. Joseph Graves came from a family that always served the Red Lake Nation. His father Royce taught the family the rich history of the Red Lake Band and the struggles of Native People. Joe embraced the teachings as did his sisters and brothers. The Graves family was always close and took care of one another. This was the legacy that was given to Joe and he appreciated all that he learned in his life. Joe is survived by his wife, Jill Graves of Red Lake; his daughter's Kalise Graves of Red Lake and Alexi (Chris) Wells of Bemidji; his son's Rawn Graves of Red Lake and Nathan Swedberg of Blackduck; brother Royce Graves Jr of Red Lake; Sisters Eloise (Gordon) Jallen of Pinewood and Darlene Lussier of Red Lake. Also surviving Joe are seven grandchildren whom he and Jill enjoyed holding birthday parties and holiday fun times. There are numerous nephews and nieces that Joe loved dearly, Shari Mountain Smith, Brandon Mountain and Lilah Beaulieu grew up as an important part of his life. There are twenty four nieces and nephews along with some grand ones... Joe was preceded in Death by his Parents, Royce Sr. and Bernadine Graves, his Brothers; Preston Graves and Archie Gary Graves, Sister Janet Graves, Grandparents Joseph and Jane (Chaboyea) Graves, and Sophie (Bellanger) Lorenson. Special Miigwech to Roger Strong, Brandon Mountain, Mike Pemberton, Wally Holstein, Fred Donnell, Royce Graves III, Rachel Donnell and Clinton Donnell for all their help when Joe became sick.

Pallbears are Brandon Mountain, Royce Graves III, Rawn Graves, Matthew Graves, Adrian Lussier Jr, Nathan Swedberg, Evan Smith and Ryan Lussier. Honorary Pallbearers are Roger Strong, Byron Graves, Mike Pemberton, Wally Holstein, David Cobenais, Dawn Barrett, Fred Donnell and Rachel Donnell.

Events

Visitation

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

2:00 PM

Red Lake Community Center

Highway 1

Red Lake, MN 56671

The wake will continue until the time of the service at the Center.

Service

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

1:00 PM

Red Lake Community Center