Loren Grasdalen, 1937-2014

Published 10:01 am Friday, November 21, 2014

Memorial services for Loren R. Grasdalen, 77, of Albert Lea will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home chapel. The Rev. Janet White will officiate.

Loren Grasdalen

Loren Grasdalen

Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Friends may greet the family one hour prior to the service on Monday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Loren died Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014, in Rochester.

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Loren Rudolph Grasdalen was born March 18, 1937, in Albert Lea, the son of Lars and Josephine (Reiter) Grasdalen. He grew up and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1955. Following high school Loren went to college at Mankato State where he graduated with a teaching degree. He went to work teaching math and science for the Alden Schools and it was here that he met his future wife.

On Dec. 30, 1978, Loren was united in marriage to Mary Alyce Johnson at Grace Lutheran Church. He was a member of Grace and a former member of the Elks Lodge. He and Mary were active in the founding of the “Spirit of Christmas,” a program providing additional support at Christmas for children and their families in the Alden/Conger School District. He enjoyed collecting, particularly Department 56 Christmas Village pieces and Steif Bears. Blessed be his memory.

Survivors include his children Keith Allen Grasdalen of Tucson, Ariz., and Eric Ray Grasdalen of Rochester; grandchildren Cory and Jordan Puterbaugh of Star Prairie, Wis.; and sister, Joan, of Minneapolis.

Loren was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary; and sister, Marlys Jahnke.