Stella O. Grinna

Stella O. Grinna, age 95, of Decorah, Iowa, died on Friday, September 7, 2007, at the Barthell Eastern Star Home in Decorah, Iowa, following a long illness. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 10, 2007, at the Glenwood Lutheran Church, rural Decorah, Iowa, with Rev. Douglas Mathison officiating. Burial will be in the Glenwood Cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00- 5:00 on Sunday at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah, and one hour prior at the services on Monday at the church. Stella Ovidia (Berge) Grinna was born on March 7, 1912, the daughter of Olaus and Sophie (Ask) Berge in Glenwood Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa. Stella was baptized and confirmed at the Glenwood Lutheran Church. She attended the Lee country school near the Glenwood Church. On May 12, 1941, she married Grant Grinna at the Glenwood Lutheran Church. Together they farmed the Grinna farm and milked Holstein cows for many years, having dairy dispersal sale in 1975 and moing into Decorah in 1983. Stella was an active member of the Glenwood Lutheran Church, the Garden Club and the Toastmasters. She enjoyed her family, and friends, but especially enjoyed her nieces and nephews, who spent many summers with them. Stella loved tending her flower gardens, sewing, and making lefsa and crocheting doilies for the church bazaar. Stella’s survivors include her brother: Norman Berge, Decorah, IA. Three sisters-in-law: Evelyn Berge, Brazoria, TX, Jean Berge, Waukon, IA and Olive Grinna, Waukon, IA. One brother-in-law: Alden (Esther) Grinna, Decorah, IA. Nieces and nephews: Mimi Wilkins, James Grinna, John Grinna, Linda Wicks, Susan Youngs, Stephen Grinna, Tom Grinna, Betty Grinna, Gary Grinna, Donna Blumhagen, Shirley Holtey, Mark Berge, Glenn Berge, Donna Bodensteiner, Eileen Hanson, Darrell Berge, Janelle Spain, Marilyn McDowell, Ricky Berge and Roxanne Meuth. Also surviving are many great and great great nieces and nephews. Stella was preceded in death by her parents: Olaus & Sophie Berge. Her husband: Grant Grinna on November 10, 1999. One sister: Ovila Berge. Five brothers: Irvin, Roy, Carl, Walter and Otto. Six sisters-in-law: Edna Berge, Ellen Berge, Ruth Berge, Nora Berge, Ella Berge and Helen (Albert) Ruen. Three brothers-in-law: Julian (Bernice) Grinna, Marlin (Vivian) Grinna and Vernon Grinna. . One niece: Mary Yount. Two great nieces: Heather and Elizabeth Wilkins.