Edna A. Grunklee, age 102, of Blooming Prairie, died Wednesday afternoon, May 21, 2003, at Prairie Manor Nursing Home in Blooming Prairie.

She was born Feb. 18, 1901, to Albert and Anna (Kruckeberg) Hargefeld in Havana Township, Steele County.

She attended the parochial school at St. John’s Lutheran Church of rural Claremont and was confirmed on March 28, 1915. On Oct. 16, 1924, Edna was united in marriage to Ernest Grunklee at St. John’s. They lived and farmed in Steele County for 39 years until her husband passed away on April 6, 1963. She remained on the farm until 1970 when the smaller house on the farm was moved to Blooming Prairie. Edna enjoyed being in town, meeting new friends and having coffee parties. She did volunteer work at Prairie Manor Nursing Home and helped with bingo for 15 years until her 90th birthday. She enjoyed spending time outdoors, taking care of her garden and flowers. When the weather was bad, she was indoors crocheting and making quilts. Family was very important to her, especially her grandchildren. She stayed in her home until 1997 when she moved to Westside Board and Care in Owatonna. She became a resident of Prairie Manor Nursing Home in Blooming Prairie in 2000.

Survivors include two daughters: Kathryn Coughlin of Blooming Prairie, and Viola Matson of Albert Lea; a son, Merlen (Maryann) Grunklee of Claremont; 14 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and two sisters: Ann Schmidt of Pine Island and Myrtle Borning of Marshall.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest, in April, 1963; grandson, Roger Grunklee; sons-in-law: Curtis Matson in February 1996 and Leo Coughlin in January 2003; and three sisters and two brothers.

Funeral services are Saturday morning, May 24, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Havana Township, rural Claremont, with the Rev. Giles Zimmer officiating. Visitation is from 4-8 p.m. Friday at Worlein-Blooming Prairie Funeral Home, and at the church one hour before the service on Saturday. Interment is at the church cemetery.

The family prefers memorials to St. John’s Lutheran Church, rural Claremont.