Exhibit 23.1




INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this  Registration  Statement of
Graco Inc.  on Form S-8  relating to its  Employee  Stock  Purchase  Plan of our
report dated  January 23, 1996,  appearing in the Annual  Report on Form 10-K of
Graco Inc. for the year ended December 29, 1996.




/s/Deloitte & Touche LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
December 11, 1996

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