Carmen James Graika

Carmen James Graika, age 80, of Pomona, Kansas, died Monday, April 25, 2011, at Wellsville Retirement Community in Wellsville, Kansas. He was born on Monday, September 22, 1930, in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. He was the son of John Francis and Violet (Kvanvig) Graika. Raised in South Dakota and resided in Minnesota, Wisconsin, California, Alaska and Kansas. In 1963, Carmen moved to Alaska from South Dakota with his first wife and their three sons, While in Alaska, their fourth son Scott was born. He spent 30 happy years in Alaska and in 1993 he moved to Kansas with his second wife, Lisa, where he resided until his death. He received his high school diploma while serving in the Army. Carmen was always the perennial entrepreneur, having owned and successfully operated many businesses in various localities throughout Alaska and the lower forty-eight. While in Anchorage, he owned and operated a gravel pit off of Klatt Road and started the Nordic Trucking Company. On Alaska's Kenai Peninsula he started the Nordic Trading Post in Soldotna and also operated the Naptown Trading Post in Sterling. Carmen joined the United States Army in 1948. In 1955, Carmen was united in marriage with Joan P. Jordan. They were later divorced. On October 16, 1981, Carmen was united in marriage with Lisa Rose in Anchorage, Alaska. She survives of their home. Survivors include; Wife-Lisa Graika of Pomona, Kansas Son-Don Graika and his wife, Gwynn, of Seattle, Washington Son-Gary Graika and his companion, Maria, of Anchorage, Alaska, Son-Scott Graika and his wife, Patricia, of Anchorage, Alaska, Brother-David Graika and his wife, Ruth, of Ottawa, Kansas Brother-Paul Graika and his wife, Lucille, of Rockford, Illinois Brother-Joe Byers and his wife, Kang, of Phoenix, Arizona, Sister-Darlene Fuqua of Bellflower, California, Daughter-in-law-Pam Graika, of Minneapolis, Minnesota Ex wife- Joan Jones of Soldotna, Alaska, Grandchild-Michele Graika, of Minneapolis, Minnesota Grandchild-Jason Graika, of Minneapolis, Minnesota Grandchild-Eric Graika, of Minneapolis, Minnesota Grandchild-Gage Graika, of Seattle, Washington Grandchild-Casey Graika, of Seattle, Washington Grandchild-Skylar Graika, of Seattle, Washington Grandchild-Braedon Graika, of Seattle, Washington Grandchild-Justin Graika, of Anchorage, Alaska Grandchild-Robin Graika, of Portland, Oregon Many cousins, nieces and nephews He was preceded in death by; Father-John Francis Graika Mother-Violet Graika Son-John Francis Graika, Jr. Sister-Leona McCandlish Brother-Kermit Graika Brother-Sherwood Byers SERVICES: Memorial Services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary in Ottawa at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, May 16, 2011. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Hospice Advantage, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through dengelmortuary@sbcglobal.net