Richard Joseph Gratzer

Obituary Richard "Dick" Joseph Gratzer Dick Gratzer, beloved husband and father, born January 25, 1925, passed away at home on March 15, 2013. Dick grew up in South Tacoma and attended Visitation School, graduating from Bellarmine Preparatory School in 1942. Dick served our country as a navigator in the United States Army Air Forces during WWII. He subsequently met Rose, the love of his life, marrying in 1950 and raising their five children in Fircrest. Dick completed a Business Administration and Senior Professional Accounting course at Auerswald's Accounting and Secretarial School in 1968 and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1971. Dick worked for Flett Dairy as a milk carrier and retired in 1988 as Office Manager/Accountant. Dick blessed so many with his life and was loved by all; he was a Godly man who led by example. His love for his wife and children, along with his Catholic faith, were the most important things in his life. Dick was full of wit, wisdom, grace and kindness - he loved a good political argument, naps, chocolate, square dancing, playing cards, traveling and Mariner games. He will forever be missed. Dick is survived by his wife of almost 63 years, Rose, sons, Richard M. and Robert J. Gratzer; daughters Carol A. Krona (Roland), Kathleen M. Gratzer (special friend Louis) and Mary F. Pirnie (Robert); grandchildren Bobby, Rick, Riley, Sarah, Michelle, Wil, Nate and Ellie, and brother Louis B. Gratzer. Dick was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Catherine Rose, grandson, David C. Gratzer, father, Louis Gratzer, mother, Hazel Willert Gratzer, sister, Josephine Seaburg and brother Thomas Gratzer. The family would like to extend our thanks to all of his special doctors, especially Dr. Steve Stringfellow, numerous special caregivers who took care of him during the last year of his life as well as the staff at the Wynwood of Allenmore where he resided at the time of his death. Please join us in celebrating Dick's life at a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, March 25, 2013 at 11:00am at St. Charles Borromeo Church followed by a reception in the church hall. Rosary will be recited, Sunday, March 24, 2013 at 7:00pm at Gaffney Funeral Home Chapel. Interment at Calvary Cemetery. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003. A Life Celebration® Home.