Exhibit 24

Power of Attorney

Know all by these  presents,  that each person  whose  signature  appears  below
hereby  constitutes  and  appoints  George  Aristides or Mark W.  Sheahan,  that
person's  true  and  lawful  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  with  full  power of
substitution and resubstitution for that person and in that person's name, place
and stead,  in any and all  capacities,  to sign the Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 27, 1996, of Graco Inc. (and any and all amendments thereto)
and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission,  granting unto
said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each
and every  act and  thing  requisite  or  necessary  to be done in and about the
premises,  as fully to all intents and purposes as that person might or could do
in person,  hereby ratifying and confirming all that said  attorney-in-fact  and
agent, or his substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

In witness  whereof,  this Power of Attorney  has been  signed by the  following
persons on the date indicated.

                                                  Date
                                                  -----------------


         /s/G. ARISTIDES                          February 14, 1997
         ---------------------------              -----------------
         G. Aristides


         /s/R. O. BAUKOL                          February 14, 1997
         ---------------------------              -----------------
         R. O. Baukol


         /s/D. A. KOCH                            February 14, 1997
         ---------------------------              -----------------
         D. A. Koch


         /s/R. D. MCFARLAND                       February 14, 1997
         ---------------------------              -----------------
         R. D. McFarland


         /s/L. R. MITAU                           February 14, 1997
         ---------------------------              -----------------
         L. R. Mitau


         /s/M. A.M. MORFITT                       February 14, 1997
         ---------------------------              -----------------
         M. A.M. Morfitt


         /s/D. R. OLSETH                          February 14, 1997
         ---------------------------              -----------------
         D. R. Olseth


         /s/C. M. OSBORNE                         February 14, 1997
         ---------------------------              -----------------
         C. M. Osborne


         /s/W. G. VAN DYKE                        February 14, 1997
         ---------------------------              -----------------
         W. G. Van Dyke
                                       35