Lila Grandstrand

Lila Grandstrand, age 94, departed from this life on August 18, 2023, twenty-three years almost to-the-day after her husband, Gordon.

Born at home in East Park Township, MN, on October 7, 1928, Lila was brought into the world by her midwife grandmother and placed in the arms of her parents, Mildred (Brekke) and Herman Nelson. She was raised on the family farm and graduated from Strandquist High School in 1946. Lila then completed her teachers training in Thief River and did her practicum in Hazel, MN. She taught at Benson School in Augsburg Township, where she would meet her future husband.

On December 28, 1948, Lila was married to Gordon Grandstrand in Viking, MN. They made their home in Section 14 of Augsburg Township, Marshall County, where Lila lived her entire married life. She grew into her role as a farm wife, cooking meals, baking treats, running for parts, minding the children, and filling in wherever she was needed to keep the farm and the family in order. Her favorite job came later in life when she operated “Grandma's Daycare,” taking care of her children's children.

Lila had a deep faith and love of her church, serving as a Sunday School teacher, on the Ladies Aide, and as a Treasurer at Salem Lutheran Church for many years. She was active in the Zion Cemetery Association and helped found the Zion Picnic, held every August. In addition to these, Lila was involved in 4-H (as a leader), Homemakers Group, the Karlstad Hospital Guild, the Northwest Minnesota Synod (as an assembly delegate), and was an election judge for Augsburg Township.

And somehow, in the midst of all her duties, from volunteering to child-rearing, Lila also found time to crochet, read daily, study her Bible, cut the grass, and spend time with her grandchildren and watch their activities.

Lila is survived by six children, Marilyn Grandstrand of Karlstad, MN, Beverly (Mark) Robertson of Argyle, MN, Vera (Terry) Rowell of Riverton, WY, Russell (Judy) Grandstrand of Stephen, MN, John (Denise) Grandstrand of Stephen, MN and Karyn (Roger) Santl of Roseau, MN; grandchildren, Tracy Robertson, Brian (Meghan) Robertson, Katherine (Lucas) Quail, Evan (Shayne) Grandstrand, Jake (Bethany) Grandstrand, Lauren, Lindsey, and Kayla Santl, Kaleb Grandstrand, and Candra Vasquez; sisters, Dorothy Borowicz and Ina Lou Baumgartner; and in-laws, Elaine Baker, Edythe, LouAnn, and Carl Grandstrand; and great-grandchildren, Maija and Laura Robertson, Brooklyn Foss, Adley Lila Grandstrand, Alivity Romero, and another on the way.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon, on August 19, 2000; and siblings, Eulalie (Leonard) Stallock, Jeane (Verner) Fredricks, Merlyn Nelson, and Gayhard (Irene) Nelson; and brothers-in-law, Butch Baumgartner and Ralph Borowicz.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Friday, August 25, 2023, at 10:30 AM, in Salem Lutheran Church, rural Stephen, MN.

A RECORDING may be found here: Lila Grandstrand Service
VISITATION: Thursday evening, from 5:00-7:00 PM, with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM, in DuBore Funeral Home of Warren, MN; and one hour prior to services in the church.
INTERMENT: Salem Lutheran Cemetery.