Douglas Graupe

Crosby

Douglas Graupe, 82, Crosby, passed away Thursday, May 14, 2026.

A family service will be held 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Concordia Lutheran Church Chapel, Crosby. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at Concordia Lutheran Church, Crosby. A luncheon will follow. Internment will take place afterwards at Grenora Cemetery, Grenora.

Douglas Mark Graupe (Mickey) was born on August 17, 1944, to Ole I. and Edith Marie (Haugen) Graupe in Williston. Doug’s older brothers wanted to name him Mickey-so growing up he was called Mickey for 18 years.

Doug was raised on the family farm until they moved in to Grenora in 1950. He graduated from Grenora High School in 1962, and from Minot State University in 1966. He began teaching and coaching at Parshall High School and then moved to Crosby in 1969. He received the Outstanding Educator Award in 1971. He received his Master’s of Education degree in School Administration from the University of North Dakota in 1972. He farmed while he was teaching and coaching in Crosby, until his retirement to farm full time in 1977.

Doug married his sweetheart Carolyn Sue Lundby on November 11, 1962. They were inseparable whether it was farming, traveling, or going to ball games and toy shows. Carolyn was Doug’s best friend and taught him the meaning of unconditional love. They raised two boys-Mark and Jeffrey.

Doug was a 50-year member of the Crosby Moose Lodge and he and Carolyn were members of Concordia Lutheran Church, where he served on the worship committee and church council.

Doug ran for Divide County Commissioner in 1982 and served 38 years, retiring in 2020. He was instrumental in forming the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund-providing insurance to cities, counties and school districts. He served on the initial Board of Directors and is the longest serving commissioner on the fund.

Doug served several years as president of St. Luke’s Hospital. He organized the Divide County Economic Development Association, served as president and helped to establish a revolving loan fund which helped many new businesses get started.

He also served more than 30 years on the Divide County Social Services Board-many as chairman. He was also on the Divide County Library Board. He was a president of the North Dakota Resource Conservation and Development Council and in 2010 he was awarded the Outstanding Council Member for North Dakota. He served on the North Dakota State County Commission Board from 2006-2015 and was the president for two years.

In 2014, he was humbled and honored to receive the Excellence in County Government award as North Dakota County Commissioner of the Year. The Crosby community surprised Doug with the Pioneer Award for his lifetime contribution to the Divide County area.

To say that Doug was a collector would be an understatement. His passion was collecting John Deere tractors, toys, and memorabilia. He and Carolyn built several rare four wheel drive tractors over the years, selling them through their Long Creek Toy Company.

Doug reached a real milestone in 2025, when he completed his 65th harvest by operating his John Deere 790 combine with a 45-foot header.

He is survived by his two sons who have made him proud: Mark, Minot and Jeffrey, Williston; three very precious grandchildren who he loved and adored: Sadie, Maren, Mason Graupe, and one brother Owen (Marlene) Graupe, Grand Forks.

He was preceded in death by parents Ole and Edith Graupe; one brother, Edwin Graupe; daughter-in-law, Stacy and the love of his life, Carolyn in 2018.

Published by The Minot Daily News, May 21, 2026.