Dr. Peter Fredrick Graham

May 24, 1956 — October 18, 2025

Crookston, MN

On a beautiful Saturday evening, Dr. Peter Fredrick Graham, 69, of Crookston, MN passed away on October 18th at his Frazee lake home surrounded by his wife Ann and their four children.

Pete was born on May 24th, 1956, in Ellendale, ND to Benny and Phyllis (Christensen) Graham. It was an idyllic time to grow up enjoying every day and living boyhood adventures. His early years were spent with friends at the swimming pool and playing baseball. Pete was in Scouting for many years, which introduced him to the outdoors and a fascination with astronomy and the night skies. His time at their Pheasant Lake cabin and Wood Lake Shady Rest hunting shack supplied many of his most precious memories. At thirteen years old he started the Pheasant Lake Newspaper and created a 3-hole golf course at the lake for all to enjoy.

Graduating as Salutatorian of Ellendale High School’s Class of 1974, Pete was known for his love of basketball and accurate shot. Pete began his college journey as a member of the basketball team at Jamestown College. He transferred to University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and was often found tailgating and cheering on the Sioux with enthusiasm and loyalty. Pete joined the SAE fraternity forming deep lifelong friendships in the brotherhood bond. Through connections with the Delta Gamma Sorority, he soon met Ann Daggett. As part of the same friend group, it quickly became clear—Ann was smitten. Pete proposed after just three dates and they were married September 2nd, 1979, in Frazee, MN.

They moved to Lincoln where Pete attended dental school at the University of Nebraska. Soon, Robert and Tanner were born along with a love for Cornhusker Football which passed on to their entire family. After graduating in 1984 with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree, Pete and Ann moved to Burnsville, MN to complete his residency. In 1985, he joined the Dental Health Center and Crookston became their home where Mitchell and Lauren were born. In Crookston, they would raise their family and build a life rooted in community, church, service, and love.

Pete loved his work, patients, staff, and dental partner, John Schoeneberger. The Dental Health Center was a warm, welcoming place and he took much pride in it. The staff became family, having so much fun and truly caring for one another. He served the community not just as a dentist, but as a trusted neighbor and friend. There was never an emergency dental call he didn’t answer. His patients knew him for his gentle demeanor, his professionalism, and his genuine concern for their well-being.

Believing deeply in giving back to his community, Pete was incredibly involved in Rotary in his earlier days, where he lived out the motto of “Service Above Self.” He served in Cathedral ministries, CYBA, CYSA, state and district dental boards, and was a proud supporter of UMC Teambackers.

Pete enjoyed watching and coaching his children’s many sporting and extracurricular activities. He was always up for shooting hoops in the driveway and pitching baseballs with all the neighborhood kids. He maintained that none of his children ever beat Dad in HORSE. He attended many March Madness basketball games with his sons, their friends, and their fathers. This became much more than just basketball, it created a lifelong bond between sons and dads with memories to last a lifetime.

Of course, we can’t remember Pete without thinking of his sense of humor. He loved playing pranks—like hitting the top of the car and pretending kids were throwing apples, or completely making up stories and telling them with such conviction that you couldn’t help but believe him. His humor was playful, clever, and full of heart.

One of Pete’s greatest joys was being a proud grandfather to Zoey, Nellie, Louie, Crosby, and Garrison. He loved watching them play, grow, and become their own people. Even through difficult times, he showed them—and all of us—so much love, patience, and grace. Bending forward through pain to let them bless him with holy water, letting them tickle his feet, being so proud of their talent show performances, and accepting all the noise as reassurance that the family he built was all together. He loved to hear the sound of the grandkids waking up for the day – he knew they would soon walk down the stairs to say “Papa” and come in for a hug.

As a couple, some of their favorite memories are summers at Wymer Lake, traveling adventures, bicycling trails throughout the country, and friends gathered around the kitchen table, welcoming all to their home. They enjoyed pilgrimages, with the most meaningful experience being their trip to Lourdes, France. Ann and Pete enjoyed beautiful scenery with a good glass of wine while reflecting on their love and life together. He always went the extra mile to create special experiences for others. Pete would want to be remembered as a kind, humble, generous and faith-filled man.

Pete handled the journey with dignity and is survived by his wife Ann; sons Robert (Tanya) Graham of Alexandria, MN, Tanner Graham of West Fargo, ND, and Mitchell (Britta) Graham of Mahtomedi, MN; daughter Lauren (Matthew) Larson of Brainerd, MN; grandchildren Zoey, Nellie and Louie Graham, Crosby Larson, and Garrison Graham, along with two babies in the upcoming months; in laws Charlie Sizer, Bob (Christy) Daggett, Fred (Christine) Daggett, and Julie Hardmeyer; and many extended family members. Welcoming him in heaven are his parents, Benny and Phyllis Graham; sister Jane Sizer; in-laws Marvin and Bette Daggett; and two little grandbabies.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, October 26th at 5 PM with a prayer service and sharing of memories beginning at 6 PM at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston, MN. On Monday, October 27th, visitation will begin at 1 PM with a Funeral Mass celebrated at 2 PM at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception.

In memory of Pete and the smiles he made brighter, share your own smile and an act of kindness to make our world lighter.

Suggested memorials include: