LeRoy Grivno, age 80, of Ada, MN, died Saturday, February 26, 2011 at Bridges Care Community in Ada.
LeRoy Glenn Grivno, the son of Gustav and Helen (Senzek) Grivno, was born August 18, 1930 in Ada, MN. He grew up on the family farm near Ada and attended country school. As a young man, he began working on the farm and continued this work for his lifetime. On August 10, 1953 LeRoy was united in marriage to Verna Horn in Twin Valley, MN. They made their home on the Grivno family farm and were blessed with seven children. Together they owned the dairy operation while also raising hogs, "mile" high corn and small grains. Trips to deliver milk to Rindal and later to Fertile, MN were a daily outing and a chance for LeRoy to visit with other area farmers. He was an excellent salesman for DeKalb selling corn seed and had earned high honors and even a trip for the sales he had achieved. After working for nearly fifty years he decided to retire at the age of 62 from the labor of the milking and farming operation. In January of 2009, he became a resident of the Bridges Care Community where he had made his home since.
LeRoy loved to take slow drives in the country and to simply talk about the weather. He spent time out in his yard feeding the squirrels, birds, and other small game. In his younger years, LeRoy also enjoyed going fishing with his close friends. After retirement, he liked to read, watch TV, and simply relax. Most of all LeRoy treasured the time spent with his wife of 59 years, Verna.
He is survived by his wife, Verna of Ada; three sons: Gerry (Debra) of Ada, Craig (Barbara) of Ada, and Scott (Laurie) of Harwood, MN; four daughters: Julie (Daniel) Bjorklund of Hillsboro, MN, Lori (Conrad) Vanderlinden of Ada, Patricia (John) Sargent of Fargo, ND, and Kristi (Wayne) Wilkens of Ada; one sister, Shirley Meglich of Enumclaw, WA; 13 grandchildren: Casey, Alicia, Luke, C.J., April, Carrie, Jacob, Isaiah, Karin, Nicholas, Hayley, Brandy, and Dylan; and 13 great grandchildren: Zachary, Devin, Mason, Cole, Jack, Cody, Dawson, Aubrey, Bailey, Ian, Caleb, Christopher, and Jordyn.
LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Richard; and a great grandson, Devin Huckins.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00am on Friday, March 4, 2011 at Grace Lutheran Church in Ada. A time of gathering will be held at Grace Lutheran Church on Thursday, March 3, 2011 from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, with a Prayer Service beginning at 6:30pm. Officiating will be Pastor Ken Nyhusmoen with Kris Wilkens serving as organist, Linnae Strand serving as pianist and Lauren Ellingson, Ron Bervig and Brett Knudsen will serve as vocalists. Honorary urn bearers will be all of LeRoy's grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Burial will be in the Ada City Cemetery.