Mary Alyce Grasdalen

Mary Alyce Grasdalen was born on August 19, 1948 in Winnebago, MN, the daughter of Don and Marie (O’Leary) Johnson.  She went to school in Easton, MN; Crystal Lake, IA; and Delavan, MN.  She graduated from Delavan High School in 1966.  She then went to college at Mankato State College where she graduated with her teaching degree in business education, in three years. Mary went to work in Alden as a teacher and it was here she met her future husband.  On December 30, 1978 Mary was united in marriage to Loren Grasdalen at Grace Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Mary was an active member of St. Theodore’s Catholic Church in Albert Lea, and a former member of St. Casmir Catholic in Wells.  She and her husband 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.  Mary enjoyed collecting, particularly collecting Department 56 Christmas Village pieces and Steif Bears. She liked cake decorating, shopping, and visiting with her friends and family over coffee.  Blessed be her memory.
Survivors include her husband Loren, of Albert Lea; children Keith Allen Grasdalen of Virginia, and Eric Ray Grasdalen of Rochester; grandchildren Cory and Jordan Puterbaugh of Star Prairie WI; siblings Cleone (Bruce) Benson of Westby, WI, John Colin (Barb) Johnson of Stillwater, MN, Kathy Waltermire of Marshalltown, IA, Beverly (Dave) Schreiber of Columbus, NE, and Marilyn (Rick) Lowery of Omaha, NE; and ten nieces and nephews.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Janet Carol Johnson, and her brother-in-law Rod Waltermire.