Memorial Services will be Saturday April 23, 2016 at 1:30 pm at the United Church of Christ, 1002 College St, Springfield, SD 57062. Burial with military honors will be in the Springfield Cemetery.

Griff (Francis Ralph) Griffin was born to Peter and Lenora Griffin on Sept 26, 1931 in Sully County, SD. Griff passed away April 17, 2016 in Minneapolis, MN at the age of 84 after a gallant battle with cancer.

Griff grew up on a farm with his two brothers, Carlos and Robert, and they had many adventures together. He rode his horse, Rudy, each day to a little country school. Later he stayed in town and graduated from Blunt High School.

He then joined the Army and was commended for his ability.

Griff worked in trucking in SD and MT. During this time he married Marilyn Judstra and to this union had a son Rahn Paulson. He later married Jean Baker and they moved to Minneapolis, where he worked in Industrial parts sales and later started his own company, Griff Co. He later re-married Marilyn and the moved back to South Dakota. After Marilyn's death, he married Mary Ann Ryken, M.D. and moved back to Minneapolis.

His passions included motorcycles, airplanes, snowmobiles and he entered competitions in these areas where he ranked top in the nation in many races.  Additionally, he even won trophies in ballroom dancing.

Griff's true passion was aerobatic flying in his Stearman; in which he modified and refurbished to be more powerful and spectacular.

In addition to the Stearman, Griff also owned and cherished his Bonanzas and Cessnas.
Griff encouraged people to follow their dreams and passions - whether it was flying or starting a business venture.

He always had a smile, and was usually jolly with unmistakable and contagious laughter. He took great pleasure in buzzing people's houses and taking them on fancy airplane rides with rolls and hammer heads.

Thankful for so many wonderful years of memories are his family members: wife Mary Ann Ryken Griffin, Minneapolis, MN, son Rahn (Ruth) Paulson Springfield, SD; daughters: Tara Brooke, Seattle, WA, Leslie (Ryan) Johnson, St. Louis Park, MN; grandchildren: Justin (Jill) Paulson, Yankton, SD, Ben Paulson, Springfield, SD, Lucan (Amanda) Paulson, Meckling, SD, Katie (Eli) Stines, Boone, IA, William Paulson (Linda Deming), Springfield, SD, Ariana Nelson, Seattle, WA, Charlie Johnson, St. Louis Park, MN and Sophia Johnson, St. Louis Park, MN; and great-grandchildren: Kaitlin Paulson, Abbigail Paulson, Avery Stines and Edith Stines.

Griff was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Carlos and Robert; sister-in-law Donalene Griffin and wife Marilyn Griffin.