Marlyn Grinde
March 17, 1924 - May 26, 2020
Obituary
MOUNT HOREB - Marlyn Elaine Grinde passed into eternal life at the age of 96 on May 26, 2020, at her home with her family by her side.
She was born March 17, 1924, in Brigham Township, Iowa County, Wis. to Marvin and Edna Arneson where she grew up on a farm during the Great Depression and started honing her skills as a determined young woman with a zest for life who could accomplish just about anything she set her mind to.
She graduated from Mount Horeb High School in 1942, and from Loebe’s Beauty Academy in 1943.
On May 12, 1946, she married Homer Brooks Hiser, who passed away on July 10, 1959.
In 1960, understanding the need to both provide support for her daughters and raise them under her watchful eye, she established the Lamplighter Gift Shop out of their home in Mount Horeb.
She later married Richard Grinde on August 17, 1963, who passed away on September 19, 2010.
Marlyn and Rick raised their six daughters on their 1900 homestead in the Township of Springdale, and family farming operations continue there to this day.
She had a love of faith, history, culture, and most of all family. She could incorporate these things and celebrate her talents with her involvement in many organizations and clubs including Busy Bells Homemakers, Malone Mother’s Club, Springdale 4-H, Immanuel Lutheran Church where she was the oldest living confirmed member, and current member of the Martha Circle. She was a Charter Member of Sons of Norway Vennelag 513 serving on the Board of Directors for 35 years. Marlyn was also a Charter member of the Mount Horeb Historical Society serving on its Board of Directors for 30 years and continued to serve as curator and volunteer until her passing. She served as a board member of the Hauge Log Church, Mount Horeb Centennial, and Springdale Township Centennial. She also served as the 1942 Mount Horeb High School class reunion planning member each year.
Marlyn truly loved life to the fullest right up to the very end of her incredible 96 years by being active in the community, celebrating events with family and friends, watching basketball as an active fan, and even polka dancing at the New Glarus Hotel celebrating her St. Pattie’s Day birthday!
She was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Edna Arneson; husbands, Homer and Richard; siblings, Dale, Donna Lou, James, Ramona, and Hilton; daughter, Dana; and other countless beloved family members and friends.
She is survived by five daughters, Cheri (Jim) Aanas of LaCrosse, Cindy (Jake) Jenson of Mount Horeb, Deb (John) Neal of Stoughton, Pixie Hiser of Madison, and Lisa Grinde (Glen Schult) of Mount Horeb. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
A private family service will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church with burial at the Mount Horeb Union Cemetery. A celebration of life will occur later when we can safely gather together.
Please consider a memorial to one of the following organizations passionate to Marlyn: Immanuel Lutheran Church, Mount Horeb Historical Society or Sons of Norway Vennalag 513.
Online condolences may be made at www.gunderson.com.
Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb
Funeral & Cremation Care
500 N. Eighth St.
(608) 437-5077
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Memories
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Deb Neal
Other •
🎼 M is for the million things she gave me, O means only that she’s growing old, T is for the tears she shed to save me, H is for her heart of purest gold, E is for her eyes with love-light shining, R means right and right she’ll always be - Put them all together they spell MOTHER, a word that means the world to me! 🎼
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Brian J. Bigler
Other •
Where do you begin in describing this remarkable, energetic woman? Although I was a member of the Springdale 4-H club when I was young, I truly got to know Marlyn through the Mount Horeb Area Historical Society participating with her in that organization for 45 years right up to the middle of March where she arrived weekly to accomplish her cataloguing duties as volunteer curator until the museum temporarily closed for the recent pandemic.
I am sure that all who knew Marlyn would agree that she carried the energy of numerous people when she set her mind to accomplishing a task and served in one of her beloved organizations. Marlyn always carried every project she focused on through to its completion. Even when she no longer chose to drive, her daughter brought her promptly to her weekly museum "job."
Marlyn had a strong German heritage and through her marriage to Rick became more Norwegian than those born in the country itself. Those lucky enough to have tried one of her Norwegian treats would not soon forget it.
Marlyn was a walking book of local history and often tapped for a remembrance of a specific event or personal experience.
Even when faced with a health scare her natural and tenacious telephone reply was always "well, hanging in there." Here's to you Marlyn - so privileged to have known you these many years..."we'll take it on from here."
Brian J. Bigler
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LuAnn Huseth Call
Other •
The world lost a very wonderful lady this week when we lost Marlyn. She was quite an inspiration for everyone. She was a very active member of the Mt. Horeb Sons of Norway for several decades . Bring full blooded Norwegian I was so thankful for all Sons of Norway does for Mt. Horeb. She also gave countless hours to keep the Norwegian history of Mt. Horeb alive by all the work she did with
the historical society. And I know these are just a few of the many places she helped out. On a personal note, Marlyn and Rick were very good friends to my mother, Melba. And Marlyn told me the last three years that since she knew I didn't have a mother anymore to check on me going through the struggles of going through ALS, she kindly asked if it would be okay for her to fill that gap for me. Her kind notes of encouragement and phone calls have been such a wonderful support to me. I will share that my little youngest grandson told me that when I go to live with the angels, I will be able to run and dance again and have lutefisk and lefse to eat everyday. I told him that would be heaven to a Norwegian. So I know I will be there to live with you soon and the angels soon and we can have lefse everyday, They just don't make women like Marlyn anymore. You will be truly missed by the many people whose lives you touched. My deepest sympathy to all the family. LuAnn Huseth Call
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Mary Haley
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Deb, I cannot express how sorry I am learning of the passing of your mother. I know how close you were to her and the love you two shared. She was a wonderful mother who faced and overcame many challenges and raised such wonderful girls. Peace and comfort to you and your family.
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Ann and Phil Dettwiler
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We send our sincere sympathy to the family. We know the deep grief of losing one’s mother. Talk about her often, share memories between you; the warmth of her will remain and the laughter you share will assist in your grief walks. A part of her lives in each of you. Deep condolences to you all. Ann (Himsel) and Phil Dettwiler
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Joan
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Heaven gained a beautiful lady. My thoughts and prayers are with you.