Wayne M. Graner

Wayne Michael Graner, 85, of Fort Rice, ND passed away from natural causes on June 15, 2026, at Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck, ND.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at Spirit of Life Catholic Church in Mandan. Burial will follow at 12 noon at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM on Tuesday, June 23 at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, followed by a 7 PM Moose Ritual, Rosary & Parish Vigil.

Wayne was born in Huff, ND, on January 7, 1941, the oldest of 6 children born to Raymond and Evelyn (Schmidt) Graner. He was raised on the family farm in Huff. After graduating from Mandan High School in 1959, he went on to serve in the US Army for four years.

On July 2, 1966, he married Phyllis Berger. Shortly after their marriage, they took over Phyllis’s family farm in St. Anthony where they farmed and ranched for many years. Wayne loved the countryside and would often go for drives to see the farmland and rural views. He loved his farm animals, especially his horses, and he enjoyed attending rodeos. Wayne had several horses and was a contractor for bucking broncs for rodeos across the state. One of his proudest moments was receiving the Saddle Bronc of the Year award in October 1990. He loved farming and ranching, but due to Wayne’s asthma, they sold the farm in 1992, and moved to Mandan.

Wayne and Phyllis were blessed with four children, Jeff, Bonnie, Rhonda, and Kimberly. He was so proud of them and enjoyed playing cards, going on trips, fishing, hunting, and attending rodeos with them when they were young.

Wayne worked various jobs and retired from the Boilermakers Union.

Wayne bought his dream home in Fort Rice in 2008, and it became his forever home. Here, he spent several years with Delores Beckler until she passed away on May 15, 2022. He loved to plant huge gardens and tend to them and can the produce. He continued to hunt, fish, and play Smear and Pinochle and loved to get together with family and friends. Wayne always had a story to tell. After Delores’s death, he spent his days with a very special friend, Sharon Usselman.

Wayne is survived by his four children, Jeff of Mandan, Bonnie (Dion) Dockter of Jamestown, Rhonda (Steve) Bondeson of Mandan, and Kimberly (Troy) Gullickson of Bismarck; 12 grandchildren, Haley, Libi, and Jurney Graner, all of Mandan, Dustin Eckroth of Shakopee, MN, Shelbie Eckroth of Bismarck, MiKenzie (Cody) Eckroth of Fargo, Brekken Dockter of Bismarck, Chandler Bondeson of Edina, MN, Christian Bondeson and Gracelyn Bondeson, both of Mandan, Dalton (Maci) Gullickson of Mandan, and Lindey (Josh) Gullickson of Mandan; five great grandchildren, Maliya & Finley Heck, Rubi Medina-Graner, Hudson Evans, Letty Gunderson, and another great grandson due in August; three sisters, Sharon (Danny) Barnhardt, Shirley (Carlyle) Reeff, and Sandy (Dennis) Bullinger; one brother, Randy (Patti) Graner; and one sister-in-law, Betty Graner; several nieces and nephews; and his special friend, Sharon Usselman. He is also survived by his beloved cats, Boots and Rosie.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Jerome Graner; three nieces, Becky Graner, Dana Berger, and Kerry Bumgarner; brother-in-law, Loren Wetch; and his special companion, Delores Beckler.

Wayne also leaves behind so many special friends. All who knew him and loved him for his smile, his sense of humor, and his storytelling.

We love you dad and grandpa. We will love & miss you forever.