Lynn Graham Hentges, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and accomplished professional, passed away peacefully in Eagan, Minnesota. She was 87 years old.
Born June 26, 1937, in Devils Lake, ND, Lynn was the daughter of Milford Raymond Graham and Jane Yerxa Graham, owners and publishers of the Devils Lake Daily Journal newspaper. As a teenager Lynn worked at the paper as a proofreader/society columnist.
Lynn graduated from Devils Lake High School in 1955 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism in 1959 from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, graduating summa cum laude. While at UND, she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, Mortar Board, and served as the Society Editor and Editorial Page Editor for the Dakota Student newspaper.
On Sep. 12, 1959, Lynn married Richard Hentges at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Devils Lake and soon the couple moved to Fargo, where Lynn went to work as secretary at the VA Hospital. A short time later she applied her considerable interviewing and writing skills to becoming producer and co-host with Jim Adelson of “Merry-Go-Round,” an afternoon talk show on KXJB, Fargo’s CBS affiliate.
Richard pursued a career in pharmaceutical sales before moving into real estate and founding The Hentges Company in 1976. During Richard’s turn to politics and a run for Mayor of Fargo (1974-1978), Lynn was deeply involved in his winning campaign and during his tenure, his most valuable “kitchen table advisor” as he headed up Fargo city government. She also continued her active engagement in Republican politics, serving as a Precinct Committeewoman, District Chairwoman for the 21st District, and managing numerous city, county, and statewide campaigns.
By this time Dick and Lynn had welcomed three beloved children into their lives and Lynn began to move away from public life toward a new and passionate concern— the mental health of others. She went back to school in 1978 at Fargo’s North Dakota State University, and earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling.
Lynn found her true calling working as an addiction counselor for the Southeast Human Service Center and later in Employee Assistance Programs. Eventually she established her own private practice, the Center for Dependency in 1987, later known as the Counseling Center, where she provided group and individual therapy until her retirement in 1997.
Richard also semi-retired in 1997 and that year they built a home in Arizona, where they spent their winters for many years before returning to Fargo permanently. After Richard’s passing in 2017, Lynn moved to Touchmark Assisted Living in Fargo, where she spent five years before relocating to the Twin Cities in 2023 to be closer to family. She spent her final months at Lexington Pointe in Eagan, Minnesota.
Lynn had a lifelong love of reading, crossword puzzles, politics, and travel, particularly to Europe. Late in life she remained physically very active with regular workouts and outings with friends, but most importantly, a devoted grandmother and great-grandmother.
Lynn was preceded in death by the great love of her life and husband of 58 years, Richard A. Hentges; her parents, Milford and Jane Graham; her brother, Mack H. Graham; her two infant sons, Richard Anthony Jr. and Thomas Christopher Hentges; and her son-in-law, Steven B. Jackson.
She is survived by her children, David Hentges of Phoenix, AZ; Kathryn Hentges Jackson of Eagan, MN; and Robert (Nicole) Hentges of Phoenix, AZ. She is also lovingly remembered by her grandchildren, Kyle (Erin) Jackson, Tony (Kelsey) Jackson, Sarah (Lukas) Drayna, Jake Jackson, Manny (Ashley) Hentges, Kale Hentges, and Carmell Hentges; and her great-grandchildren, Isla and Kade Jackson, Zaiden and Forest Hentges, and Leah Drayna.
Lynn’s legacy of dedication to public service, her intellect, her valued friendship, keen sense of humor and love for her family will be forever cherished.
Visitation will be Monday, Feb. 17, 2025 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Prayer Service – 6:00 p.m. at Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center. Funeral Mass is Tuesday: Feb. 18, 2025, 10:30 a.m. at Gethsemane Episcopal Cathedral, Fargo. Visitation 9:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Treatment Center of your choice.
