A memorial service for Christine Gries will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Bonnerup Funeral chapel in Albert Lea. The Rev. Kent Otterman will officiate. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service.

Christine passed away peacefully Monday, Feb. 19, 2018, at Oak Park Place in Albert Lea.

Christine “Chris” (Munro) Gries was born July 12, 1926, to John and Alexandria (Murray) Munro in Fort William, Ontario. She grew up in Fort William in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and graduated from high school there. After school, she went on to a trade school and worked various jobs along the way. While working at Chic’s Thousand Lake Resort in  Upsala, Ontario, she met her future husband, Henry.

Christine and Henry married in August 1960 in Kiester, where they made their home. In the mid ’60s, Chris opened Gries’ Cafe, and owned the cafe for many years.

Chris was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Kiester. In her free time she liked to sew Hardanger and was an avid bingo player. She enjoyed visiting with friends over a cup of coffee. She was also an excellent cook and baker — known as the “Lefse Lady” on KATE Radio Party Line. 

Chris always took care of others, and always thought of others before herself. Most of all, Chris was proud of her family and she enjoyed every minute she spent with her grandchildren.   

She is preceded in death by both parents; husband, Henry; siblings George, Jack and Mary Ann; stepchildren Donna, Helen and Janet; nephew, Murray; and special friend, Gene Walls.

Christine is survived by her children Karen (Craig) Hagen of Glenville and Jody (James) Carlson of Hoyt Lakes; stepchild, Fred (Janeen) Gries, of Bloomington; grandchildren Katherine and Kyle Carlson and Alexandria Hagen; siblings Jean (Mario) Donadel of Thunder Bay and Robert (Marilyn) Munro of Thunder Bay; brother-in-law, Max Mekilok, of Thunder Bay; as well as many extended relatives and friends.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the nurses and staff at Oak Park Place for the unconditional love and outstanding care she received in her three years of residing there.