Michael K. Gratton

Michael K. Gratton, age 57, of Grand Forks, North Dakota, passed away at home on Friday, October 24, 2025, following a valiant fight with cancer. He was surrounded in spirit by the enduring love of those who held him in their hearts. This love and faith embraced him as he was called home to God.

Michael Kelly Gratton was born October 5, 1968, in Cavalier, North Dakota, to Ronald and Sharon (Stegman) Gratton. Michael was raised in the Milton-Osnabrock area where he graduated from the Milton-Osnabrock High School with the class of 1987. In 1994, Michael was united in marriage to Jeanette Halldorson in Edinburg, North Dakota. Together they raised their family in various communities during his career and settled in Grand Forks in 2010. Following high school, he worked for Close Construction before starting his career at Cenex Harvest States in Milton, ND. His career advanced to management of several grain elevators throughout North Dakota. He also held a commodity brokerage license during his career. For the last several years he was a private contractor for many grain elevators.

Michael loved spending his time with family and enjoyed the outdoors. Together, they would go to their hunting cabin near Milton and take four wheeling rides, which led to their family tradition of the “Boone’s Farm Ride.” He also enjoyed spending time taking pontoon rides on the lake. He loved attending Barrett-Jackson auctions in Arizona annually. His family meant the world to him, and they all brought him profound joy, especially seeing his family grow with his grandson, Archer, who brought a special bond and light to his life.

Michael is survived by wife, Jeanette Gratton of Grand Forks, ND; son, Aaron (Lahni Stachler) Gratton of Milton, ND; daughter Brittney (Ramsey) Balsdon of Langdon, ND; “Papa” to Archer Balsdon; father Ronald Gratton of Milton, ND; brother, Chris (Kari) Gratton of Fargo, ND, Tony (Ashley Livingood) Gratton of Leeds, ND, and Steve (Amy) Gratton of Devils Lake, ND; along with many in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Sharon Gratton; and grandparents Jean and Albert Stegman, and Ernest and Florina Gratton.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 30, 2025, at St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, ND, with a prayer service at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will continue from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 31, 2025, at the church. The funeral service will begin at 10:00 a.m. Following the service, burial will be held at the Mountain Cemetery in Mountain, ND. All family and friends are invited to attend a reception at the Mountain Community Center following the burial.