Courtney Graffunder, age 21 of Rockwell City, IA, passed away on Monday, December 14, 2020, as the result of a tragic car accident in Sac County, IA. Courtney Jean Graffunder was born on February 16, 1999, to parents Wayne and Shelly (Svoboda) Graffunder at Stewart Memorial Community Hospital in Lake City, IA, the youngest of four daughters.
Courtney attended grade school in Pocahontas, IA, when she and her family lived in Palmer, IA, and after they moved to Lake View, IA, she attended East Sac County High School. She played softball and was a manager for the football team. After graduation, Courtney obtained her Associate's Degree from the National Paralegal College. She was employed at Thompson and Associates in Storm Lake, IA.
For such a beautiful life cut way too short, Courtney lived hers to the fullest. She loved figure 8 racing. Her bright purple, full-of-glitter number 8G race car certainly stood out on the track. Building and racing cars together with her dad was so special to her. She loved the bond it created between the two of them. Courtney always looked forward to trips to Minnesota with her parents to go bear hunting. She loved the outdoors, especially when she could be on the water in the boat or riding jet skis. Motorcycle rides with her boyfriend Tony always made her smile. She also liked riding 4wheelers as she had no fear.
Courtney loved spending time with her family, boyfriend, and friends, and the feeling was mutual because she was fun to be around. She was the kind of person that anyone would be proud to call daughter, sister, granddaughter, aunt, and friend. Tony was the love of her life. The time the two of them spent together fulfilled her, it’s what made her happy. She and her sisters had such close bonds, they each meant so much to her. When her niece, Allison was born, she was so excited and so proud to be an aunt. Courtney was Allison’s ‘COCO’ and will be forever. She adored her dogs Cooper, Knox, and Onyx and enjoyed taking them on walks. Listening to music along with singing and dancing, also brought her a lot of joy.
Courtney had a smile that could light up a room and a laugh that was full of love. Courtney Jean was a blessing…her life was a blessing that will continue to be so to anyone who knew and loved her. How lucky we are to have had something so great that makes saying goodbye so hard. Rest in peace sweet angel.
Survivors include her parents, Wayne and Michelle Graffunder of Lake View, IA; sisters Brittany Graffunder of Auburn, IA, Ashly (Levi) Clabaugh of Sioux City, IA, and Leah (Sam) Zamudio of Spencer, IA; niece Allison Graffunder; maternal grandparents Jerome and Sharon Svoboda of Brainard, NE; boyfriend Tony Eddy of Rockwell City, IA; best friend Wilber Padgett of Early, IA; many aunts, uncles, cousins, other extended family members and friends.
Courtney was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Roy and Doris Graffunder; cousins Amy and Bryce Devlin; and best friend Eleanor Padgett, wife of Wilber.