Art was born to John and Esther (Gunn) Graham on September 18, 1952. Art graduated from Whitewater High School in 1971.
In 1976, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with his Bachelor of Science in Safety and Security. During college, Art began his career in the food industry by advancing to store manager at Sentry Foods. Later, he would work at Fleming in the HR department. While working at Fleming, he attended the University of Southern California where he received his graduate degree. Art retired from his position of VP of Human Resources from Universal Electronics Inc. in
During Art’s free time, he enjoyed spending time with his wife, Deb Grube. Deb and Art enjoyed spending time with family, traveling to their Florida home, entertaining their cats, restoring their 1970 Dodge Charger, gardening, and working out. Art had four children: John, Arthur Joseph (AJ), Joe, and Jenna. His children will miss him most for his love and sense of humor. Art earned his nickname “Arty Farty” by being a constant prankster. He enjoyed playing practical jokes on all his friends and family. He would do anything to make someone smile. Art had a genuine, kind heart. He was a devout Catholic. He gave back to the community through his service to the Whitewater Rescue Squad and Fire Department from 1977 to 2018.
Art will be deeply missed by his surviving family: his wife, Deb Grube, children – John (Theresa), AJ (Caroline), Joe (LeAnn), and Jenna (Dan), his stepson – Adam (Tracie), nine grandchildren – Dylan, Ella, Grayden, Haden, Emma, Macayla, Lisa, Madison, and Marcus; Susan (Schmidt) Balzer, the Graham Family, the Gunn Family, the Schmidt Family, the Vogel Family, and many other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
A mass of Christian burial will take place on Wednesday, January 2, 2019, at 4 P.M. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1235 W. Main St., Whitewater, WI 53190. A visitation will take place at the church from noon until the time of services.
Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
