K. Raymond Grunhovd passed away January 6, 2014, at the Pioneer Memorial Care Center in Erskine MN, at the age of 89. Kenneth Raymond was born December 16, 1924, on the home farm, Bear Park Township, rural Gary, MN, to Henry and Oline (Rice) Grunhovd. Raymond was baptized and confirmed, as well as an active member serving in many capacities, including President, at Norman Lutheran Church, Bear Park. Ray attended the "round school" house named, Pleasant View Country School District #60, a one room school house, before transferring to Fertile High School, where he graduated in 1943. Ray enlisted in the Navy near the end of WWII, receiving orders to the USS Typhon (ARL-28), which was stationed in Shanghai, China. He was a Motor Machinists Mate, responsible for the ship's engines, pumps, and mechanical systems. He returned with the ship and oversaw its decommissioning in San Diego after the war.
On June 25, 1949, Raymond was united in marriage to Marion Rustad at Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile. They had two children, Dan and Rae Ann. Ray was a third generation, lifelong dairy farmer on the homestead in Bear Park Township, milking 30 head of cows until 1979, when the dairy operation transitioned to his son, Dan. He continued milking, raising beef cattle, and enjoyed working in the fields for many years after. Over the years, Ray and Marion shared their home with several "summer sons and daughters" and foster children through Norman County Social Services. Ray also served on the Rindal Creamery Board for several years.
Raymond's life was devoted to farming and family. He worked on the farm with his grandfather, dad, son and grandchildren raising livestock and planting crops. Maintaining and repairing machinery was a large part of the work Ray did on the farm. He had a gentle and unassuming spirit that put others at ease. For many years, Ray sang in the Norman Male Quartet. He will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, a good neighbor and friend to many. May God bless the memory of Raymond Grunhovd.
He is survived by Dan (Nancy), rural Gary, MN, daughter Rae Ann (Don) Hovda, Cedar Rapids, IA; six grandchildren: Alan (Brenda) Grunhovd, rural Gary, Brian (April) Grunhovd, Fertile, MN, Brad (Kaydi) Grunhovd, Euclid, MN, Sarah (Seth) Hoffman, Mary (Austin) Davis, Mark Hovda, all of Cedar Rapids, IA, and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Marion, May 22, 1995, sisters Edith Hanson, toddler, Deloris, and infant, Virgine.


Funeral Services will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at Faaberg Lutheran Church, Rindal, MN

Visitation will be Friday, from 5:00-7:00pm with a Prayer Service at 7:00pm at the Erikson-Vik Funeral Home, Fertile, MN.

Burial will be at the Norman Lutheran Cemetery, rural Gary, MN.