Connie Graves

On Wednesday, September 5, 2018, Connie went to heaven surrounded by her family. She had been going to doctors since February for extreme weakness and fatigue. Ultimately, she was diagnosed with cancer. Connie loved being with family and friends, so it was a great comfort she was able to be at home surrounded by her family’s love the entire time. Connie Graves was born in Bottineau, ND on May 9, 1944. She is the oldest of five siblings. She graduated from High School in Powell, WY. She married Jim Hedrick and had two daughters, Colette Meyer of Wyoming and Cindy Sapp of Arizona. She later married Jack Graves whom she was married to for 40 years. A natural born entrepreneur, she got an early start selling Tupperware, wigs and managing the Sweet Tooth Café. Always one to push the limits, she branched out to own and operate various companies such as Rojo Electric, The Hyattville Café and Fat Jack’s Saloon. She then followed Jack around the southwest from utility plant to utility plant. Never one to be idol, she found positions at school cafeterias and other volunteer opportunities during this time. Settling in Utah, she got her start in buying and selling real estate. Connie and her husband, Jack came to AZ in 1998, to nanny for Cindy’s “triplets,” Carly, Curt and Matt Sapp. They also started developing a barren desert into a subdivision near Tonopah. One subdivision wasn’t enough, so they also started another subdivision near Salome. She and Jack had been out at Salome for the last 10 years. She loved traveling, fishing, camping and hunting. Connie could switch from driving a tractor and laying sod to putting on her Sunday best and attending the Symphony or a lovely tea house. And the holidays, oh how she loved the holidays and family gatherings, the more the merrier for her. She loved baking and cooking. Family reunions were a huge highlight in her life. If there was a free hour, you could count on her to get out a game for us to play. Pinochle was a family favorite. Even though they lived 100 miles from Phoenix and the rest of the family, she rarely missed a family event. Her Prius almost knew its way to Phoenix and home on its own. As her illness progressed we settled into a new routine of watching “The Wheel” with her, a movie now and then and the new series “Yellowstone.” She beat us each night playing “The Wheel” no matter her health. She was a smart cookie! We’re thankful that she found community at the “Little Church of Hope” in Salome, AZ. She definitely enjoyed the monthly game night at the church! She modeled the love of family, endless optimism, generosity and enjoying and living life to its fullest. Our family would like to express our warmest gratitude to those earthly angels who helped us through this difficult time. Connie is survived by her Mother, Emma Stroehl, her daughters and son-in-laws, Colette Meyer and husband Carl, and Cindy Sapp and husband Stan, her grandchildren, Cristin and Trevor Smith, Emalee and Brian Chavez, Amber and Andy St. John, Michaela Denniston, Cruz Ramirez, Christine and Chas Brunke, and Carly, Curt and Matt Sapp, and eight great grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Ron and Sharon Froseth, Brad and Svetlana Froseth, Bruce and Kathy Froseth, and Renee Lee and Joe. She was preceded in death by her husband Jack Graves, her Father Albert Froseth, her Step Father Earl Stroehl. A family viewing will be held Wednesday, September 12, 2018 from 6-8pm. Her celebration of life will be at CCV Church in Peoria, AZ on Thursday, September 13, 2018 at 2pm to be followed by a reception at the Sapp Home. The interment at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona will be held at a later date.