John Grenvik
| Date of Interment or Death | 12/30/2010 |
|---|---|
| Location | Garden of Prayer |
| Block and Lot | 064A |
| Grave | 1 |
Obituary
John was born April 30, 1931, at Kenmare, ND, to Edith and Arnold Grenvik. He was one of eight children. During the depression era his family moved to Arnolds Park, IA, when John was 9 years old. During that time he worked as a paper boy and at a skating rink. He later worked for his dad in the construction business. On June 9, 1949, he married Norma Richards in Milford, Iowa; and she was his bride for the next 61 years. The couple moved to Spencer, IA, where John worked for Spencer Construction Company. They bough a small trailer house so they could move to wherever he was working. In 1951 John attended a bricklaying school in Storm Lake, IA; afterward he moved to Denver, CO, to join the Bricklayers Union. John was drafted into the US Army in 1952 and spent 19 months in Germany and France, while his family remained in Arnolds Park, IA. When John returned home in 1954, he went back on the road, going wherever there was work. He worked on schools, churches, big buildings and apartments all across the upper Midwest. He moved to Wahpeton in 1961 and began working as the brick foreman for Meide and Fritz's, which later became known as Meide and Son's. He worked on many of the buildings on NDSCS campus. On his own time, he build fancy brick steps and fireplaces for people in the Wahpeton-Breckenridge area; and his son Rich would help him. He also helped with some of the bricklaying for the Chahinkapa Park and Zoo. After sixteen years of living in three different trailers, John was able to buy a lot in Wahpeton and built a big brick home having done most of the work himself.
John retired from bricklaying in January 1994. Upon retiring, he and Norma would travel down south for a few weeks in the winter; eventually spending all winter in Yuma, AZ. For fun John bought a fishing boat and went out as often as weather permitted. He really liked going with his friend Bill Seifert. He and a few friends were instrumental in starting the Red River Trap and Shooting Grounds, Inc. of Breckenridge in 1974. He was president for 21 years and due to his health he had to stop. He was also an avid duck and deer hunter for years in Iowa and North Dakota. John was always proud of his children and grandchildren. He loved spending time with his family. He shared with them his love for masonry, fishing and shooting.
While John was sick he also received great care though Riveredge Hospice and he was always grateful for their help. It was through their service that allowed him to remain at home during his prolonged illness, and a special thank you goes out to Mel and Cindy.
John and Norma attended Harvest Outreach Church of the Assemblies of God for many years. After he became ill, he especially liked the visits from the various pastors of the church. He really missed going to church and their visits were great encouragement to him. Even though he was unable to attend church, his relationship with the Lord continued to grow. At John's passing away, he was ready to be with Jesus. He is now with Jesus and all the pain and suffering he endured is over and he is rejoicing in heaven and walking the streets of gold with him.
John is survived by his wife, Norma of Wahpeton; his children: Richard Grenvik, Wadena, MN; Larry (Lynne) Grenvik, Peoria, IL; and Nancy (Terry) Quick, Baxter, MN; his grandchildren: Lisa Grenvik, Tim (Regina) Grenvik, Dayna Grenvik, Joseph Grenvik, James, Mason, Lee and Jill Quick; his great grandchildren: Joshua and Angel Fleming, Jade and Roman Grenvik, Jasmine, Benjamin and Nathan Sanmoogan; his sisters, Mabel Lockey, Milford, IA, Estella (Ian) Sanders, Yreka, CA; and Genny (Ed) Arthur, Rufice OR; his brothers, Bill (Joy) Grenvik, Yreka, CA; and Walter Grenvik, Yreka, CA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Edith Grenvik and his sister, Anna Campion.
Headstone photograph(s)
Location
The Garden of Prayer is located in the Memorial Gardens, which comprises the northern half of the cemetery.