1917
Ella
2011
Ella Grunewald
July 13, 1917 — June 4, 2011
Ella H. Grunewald, 93, of Fergus Falls, died peacefully Saturday, June 4, 2011 at Lake Region Healthcare surrounded by family members.
She was born July 13, 1917, in Tanberg Township, rural Rothsay, the daughter of Ole and Anna (Hagen) Lillevold, both of whom were born in Norway. She was baptized and confirmed at Hamar Lutheran Church in Rothsay. She attended rural school at District 27 in Tanberg Township and received numerous perfect attendance awards and advanced to state competition in spelling. On May 11, 1940 she married Carl Grunewald at the Hamar Parsonage. They farmed in Oscar Township until moving to Fergus Falls in 1980. Ella worked as a waitress in Twin Valley, as a live-in housekeeper, sold lefse at the Farmers Store in Rothsay, picked potatoes near Barnesville in the fall, worked 15 years at West Central Turkey Plant, sold garden produce, and was a baker for Evelyn's Kitchen in Fergus Falls.
Ella was a member of Hedemarken & Bethlehem Lutheran Churches and involved with WELCA activities. She was a 4-H leader, member of a local homemakers group, and a faithful quilter at the Senior Citizens Center. In 1999, she enjoyed a 15 day trip to Sweden and Norway where she visited her parents' homesteads. She moved to River Bend in December of 2007 and played many spirited games of whist and weekly BINGO. Her coffee pot was always on and you'd be treated to homemade buns, cookies or cupcakes.
She is survived by her children, Charles (Moureen) of Golden Valley, Wilbur (Marilyn) of Bloomington, Donna (Gary) Toso of Fergus Falls, Donald of Elizabeth, and Jane (Pete) Steidl of Glyndon, and grandchildren, John (Kristi) Grunewald, Mark (Jill) Grunewald, Jill Grunewald (fiancé Charlie), Kari (Rob) Schuldt, Angie Grunewald, Loreli (Rob) Westby, and Adam Steidl. She is also survived by numerous step grandchildren, great-grandchildren and step great-great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. She is also survived by one sister, Mabel Honrud. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Carl in 1993, three brothers, John, Henry & Edwin; and four sisters, Amelia Johnson, Isabella Rian, Alice Baanna, and Cora Fosse.
Visitation: Tuesday from 5 to 7 P.M. at the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls and resuming for one hour prior to the service.
Service: Wednesday at 2:00 P.M. at the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Rev. Kate Bruns
Burial: Knollwood Memorial Gardens – Fergus Falls
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls
Condolences: www.glendenilson.com
She was born July 13, 1917, in Tanberg Township, rural Rothsay, the daughter of Ole and Anna (Hagen) Lillevold, both of whom were born in Norway. She was baptized and confirmed at Hamar Lutheran Church in Rothsay. She attended rural school at District 27 in Tanberg Township and received numerous perfect attendance awards and advanced to state competition in spelling. On May 11, 1940 she married Carl Grunewald at the Hamar Parsonage. They farmed in Oscar Township until moving to Fergus Falls in 1980. Ella worked as a waitress in Twin Valley, as a live-in housekeeper, sold lefse at the Farmers Store in Rothsay, picked potatoes near Barnesville in the fall, worked 15 years at West Central Turkey Plant, sold garden produce, and was a baker for Evelyn's Kitchen in Fergus Falls.
Ella was a member of Hedemarken & Bethlehem Lutheran Churches and involved with WELCA activities. She was a 4-H leader, member of a local homemakers group, and a faithful quilter at the Senior Citizens Center. In 1999, she enjoyed a 15 day trip to Sweden and Norway where she visited her parents' homesteads. She moved to River Bend in December of 2007 and played many spirited games of whist and weekly BINGO. Her coffee pot was always on and you'd be treated to homemade buns, cookies or cupcakes.
She is survived by her children, Charles (Moureen) of Golden Valley, Wilbur (Marilyn) of Bloomington, Donna (Gary) Toso of Fergus Falls, Donald of Elizabeth, and Jane (Pete) Steidl of Glyndon, and grandchildren, John (Kristi) Grunewald, Mark (Jill) Grunewald, Jill Grunewald (fiancé Charlie), Kari (Rob) Schuldt, Angie Grunewald, Loreli (Rob) Westby, and Adam Steidl. She is also survived by numerous step grandchildren, great-grandchildren and step great-great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. She is also survived by one sister, Mabel Honrud. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Carl in 1993, three brothers, John, Henry & Edwin; and four sisters, Amelia Johnson, Isabella Rian, Alice Baanna, and Cora Fosse.
Visitation: Tuesday from 5 to 7 P.M. at the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls and resuming for one hour prior to the service.
Service: Wednesday at 2:00 P.M. at the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Rev. Kate Bruns
Burial: Knollwood Memorial Gardens – Fergus Falls
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls
Condolences: www.glendenilson.com
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