Brother Joseph Graff, a Conventual Franciscan, passed away on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Saint Mary’s Home, Little Sisters of the Poor (Chicago, IL).

Br. “Joe,” the son of Harold and Alberta Graff, was born in Beatrice, Nebraska in 1933, one among five siblings. Growing up on a farm, he was accustomed to hard work - including working at a printing shop right out of high school. In 1953, he took that work-ethic with him into the Franciscan Order, into a special ministry of the friars focused on Eucharistic Adoration, devotion to Our Lady, and evangelization through the media where Br. Joe applied his printing shop skills by assisting with the production of the friars’ new magazine, “The Immaculata.” When the community needed a cook for their young seminarians, Br. Joe accepted the obedience of his superiors, grabbed a cookbook, and started learning a new trade. For many years, Br. Joe served in “kitchen” ministry at the Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe in Libertyville, Illinois and at the House of Studies in Chicago. Always with a smile on his face, Br. Joe, served quietly until his dying days. With his health in decline, he was sent to reside at the Little Sisters of the Poor Nursing Home in Chicago. He passed away at age 90 on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

He is survived by his youngest brother, Dale (Graciela) Graff, along with many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Visitation will be at the Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe in Libertyville, Illinois on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm with a Franciscan Wake Service at 7:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held in the same location on the following day, at noon.

A Visitation is scheduled at St. Joseph Catholic Church in his hometown of Beatrice, Nebraska, on Friday, May 24, 2024, at 9:30 am. Mass will follow at 10:30 am, and then Br. Joe will be interred next to his parents and sister at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Beatrice. www.foxfuneralhome.net  Arrangements entrusted to Fox Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Beatrice.