FAIRMONT — A funeral service for David N. Gratz, age 58, of Fairmont, Minn., will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fairmont, with interment at Lakeside Cemetery, Fairmont.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, masks will be required and the number of attendees will be limited to 100 to 125. The church will open at 10 a.m. and attendees will be asked to be seated as they arrive. Those wishing to view a livestream of the service may do so at www.splfairmont.org or on the St. Paul Lutheran Church Facebook page.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. today, Oct. 14, at Lakeview Funeral Home. Masks and social distancing will be required and the number of attendees will be monitored.

David passed away Saturday afternoon, Oct. 10, 2020, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements.

David Norman Gratz was born June 30, 1962, in Fairmont, Minn., the son of Norman and Violet (Lange) Gratz. Dave was baptized and later confirmed on May 2, 1976, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fairmont. He attended East Chain Elementary School and later graduated from East Chain High School. Dave furthered his education at Jackson Area Vocational Technical Institute as well as Winona State University.

On Nov. 28, 1987, Dave was united in marriage to Kathy Krugler at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sherburn, Minn. This union was blessed with two children, Benjamin and Briana. The couple resided in Fairmont and shared over 32 years together.

Dave was the owner of The Wood Works Carpentry and Cabinets of Fairmont.

He was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fairmont, where he served as president of the congregation, deacon, worship assistant, and on countless other committees.

Dave had a passion for officiating youth sports. For over 30 years, he was a MSHSL official for basketball, football, baseball and softball, as well as an active member of the Mankato Area Officials Association. Dave coached youth sports, including SPL basketball and Fairmont youth baseball.

Dave always enjoyed a good conversation, projects as long as they involved power tools, watching his kids’ sporting events, and most importantly spending time with his family.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Kathy Gratz of Fairmont, Minn.; children, Benjamin of Deforest, Wis., and Briana of Fayetteville, N.C.; parents, Norman and Violet Gratz of Fairmont; brothers, Bruce Gratz of Mankato, Minn., and Dan (Kris) Gratz of Prior Lake, Minn.; sister, Vicki (Mike) Thompson of Ankeny, Iowa; nieces and nephews, Alyssa (Foster), Kasey (David), Alec, Sam, Lucas, Noah, Lily; other relatives and friends.

David was preceded in death by his grandparents, Herb and Agnes Gratz, and Herb and Hazel Lange; parents-in-law, Arnold and Marge Krugler; brother-in-law, Karl Krugler; uncle, Howard Lange; aunt and uncle, Marlene and Cliff Qualle; and cousin, Ruth Vandelac.

Memorials are preferred to St. Paul Lutheran Church and School Endowment Funds.

www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net

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