Clarissa Gruneich

Clarissa June Gruneich, age 87, of Graceville, Minnesota passed away peacefully on September 27, 2017 at the Grace Home where she resided after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2014.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, September 30, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Bethlehem Covenant Church in Wheaton with Pastor Tim Shekleton officiating. Organist will be Cheryl Shekleton with special music by Lynae Berger

Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton, Minnesota. Pallbearers will be Randy Swanson, Cody Larson, Adam Frank, Daniel Frank, Christina Choi and Jessica Kvanvig.

Visitation will be held Friday, September 29th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a 6:30 p.m. Prayer Service at Bethlehem Covenant Church. Visitation will continue Saturday afternoon from 1:00 p.m. until service time.

Clarissa June Schulte was born on April 17, 1930 in Morristown, SD the only child to John (Jack) and Goldie Schulte.

She moved to Wilmot, SD when she was 6 where her family farmed for a living. She graduated from Wilmot Public School in 1948. From there she went to Jamestown, ND and then graduated from Aberdeen, SD with a Major in Music. She then returned to Wilmot to start her teaching career where she met and married Herbert Sorbel. They had 4 children and eventually moved to Morris, MN.

In 1980 Clarissa met Kenneth Gruneich along with his two children and then married him on February 14, 1981. They lived on the farm north of Graceville and actively farmed for 30 years. They both retired and eventually moved into town.

Clarissa was passionate about all areas of music, singing, playing piano and organ for the Bethlehem Covenant Church for 30 years and the Nazarene Church of Alberta, MN prior to that. She played for weddings, funerals and school programs. She also sold AVON for 30 years and was a member of the Happy Homemakers from the local area. She had many friends and loved going to visit them whenever possible. Her and Kenny loved to travel when they could and took trips to California, Tennessee, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Arizona just to name a few. Clarissa also had a great love for cats, butterflies, and the color blue.

Clarissa is survived by her husband, Kenneth Gruneich, children Joel Sorbel of Clinton, MN, Janine (Robert) Larson of Sioux Falls, SD, Jaymes Sorbel of Collinsville, IL and Jennifer (Michael) Grund of Olivia, MN; Step-Children Sandy Rumley of Norwalk, IA and Gary (Marleen) Gruneich of Fruita, CO; Grandchildren: Randy (Michele) Swanson of Fargo, ND, Jessica (Travis) Kvanvig of Fargo, ND, Cody Larson of Minnetonka, MN, Christina (Keunhyuk) Choi of Chicago, IL, Landry (Katie) Sorbel of Lemay, MO, Ashley (Peter) McGovern of Mound, MN, Amber (Nick) Grund of St. Paul, MN, Daniel (Heather) Frank of Norwalk, IA, Adam (Natalie) Frank of Norwalk, IA, Christopher (Tami) Gruneich of Highlands Ranch, CO and Michael (Ali) Gruneich of Fruita, CO. Last but not least 18 great-Grandchildren.

Clarissa was preceded in Death by her parents John (Jack) and Goldie Schulte and daughter Michelle Sorbel.