John Y. Grattan, Sr.

John Y. Grattan, Sr. 74 of La Crescent passed away peacefully on Friday, August 12, 2016 at the Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse. He was born April 9, 1942 in Charlottseville, VA to John R. and Dorothy (Yancey) Grattan. John served as a corporal in the United States Marine Corps from 1959-1963. His last station was North Island Naval Air Station in San Diego, CA where he married Carol Lee Atkinson on April 20, 1963.
In 1965 the family moved to La Crescent where John established John Grattan Construction. He was a member of the carpenters union and the La Crescent American Legion Post 595. John had a passion for fishing and could be found fishing everywhere and anywhere. There wasn’t a pond that you wouldn’t find John. He also enjoyed the Vikings, snowmobiling and family time on the Mississippi.
In addition to his devoted wife Carol of 53 years, he is survived by five children; Mary Grattan of La Crescent, John (Kay Pedretti) Grattan, Jr. of Goodview, MN, Jane (Brandon) Mathison of West Salem, Charles (Tara) Grattan of Hokah, MN and Mark Grattan of La Crescent; six grandchildren, John Y. III, Aaron, Elaine, Dusty, Kinlee and Jac; five step-grandchildren, Sarah, Mariya, Abby, Brandon and Anthony; four brothers and sisters, Robert Grattan, Lynn Lambert, Lee Miller and Audrey Atkins all of Harrisonburg, VA. He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Matthew Philip Grattan Pedretti; three brothers-in-law, Sam Lambert, Gary Coffman and Albert Miller.
Please join John’s family for a celebration of life from 3-7 PM on Wednesday, August 17th at the La Crescent American Legion, 509 N. Chestnut Street, La Crescent. Military honors will be rendered at 6:15 PM followed by a prayer service at 6:30 PM. Private family burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, La Crescent American Legion Post 595 or to the National Diabetes Foundation.