Helen ‘Rae’ Grafmyre

  Lynden resident Helen “Rae” Grafmyre passed away on Tuesday, April 5, 2016, at the age of 72. She was born on Jan. 9, 1944, to Wayne and Georgia “Helen” (Stutsman) Vermillion in Emporia, Kansas. Later the family moved to Flagstaff, Arizona, where she graduated from high school and met her future husband, Robert Grafmyre, who was making a career in the Air Force. They were married on Feb. 18, 1961, in Flagstaff and thus started a long history of being stationed all over the United States. From Flagstaff, they moved to Biloxi, Mississippi; then Charlevoix, Michigan; after that Denver, Colorado; then Colorado Springs, Colorado; then on to Lompoc, California and Vandenberg Air Force Base; then Fort Bragg before retiring in Lynden. Rae was a dedicated mother and grandmother.
  Rae enjoyed volunteering at the Lynden Pioneer Museum, ladies’ groups at Victory Christian Fellowship and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
  She was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Robert; granddaughter Tasha Serrato; great-grandson Treyton Stewart; and sisters Anita Stevenson and Susie Vermillion.
  Rae is survived by daughters Jennifer (Henry) Dykstra of Everson and Kelly (Billy) Overdorf of Lynden; grandchildren Jeremie Serrato, Jessy Dykstra, Dacia Serrato and Kevin Dykstra; and great-grandchildren Ava Stewart, Ronin Stewart and Lindsey Dykstra. She will be missed by her sisters, Donna Roubinson and Waynet Brower, both of Lawrence, Kansas; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
  A graveside committal was held on Monday, April 11, 2016, in Lynden Cemetery followed by a memorial service in Victory Christian Fellowship, Suite 107, 205 S. British Columbia Ave., Lynden.
  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Lynden Pioneer Museum, 217 Front St., Lynden, WA 98264.
  You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
  Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.