Grunhovd, Leonora M. (1925-2011)

GRUNHOVD, SUNDE, ROBINSON, BELL, KOZITZA, PEIK, THRONE

Posted By: Paul Nagy, volunteer (email)
Date: 3/27/2011 at 12:49:15

Leonora M. "Tudy" Grunhovd
(June 27, 1925 - March 11, 2011)

Leonora M. “Tudy” Grunhovd, 85, of Lake Mills, Iowa, passed away Friday, March 11, 2011, at the Albert Lea Medical Center in Albert Lea, Minnesota, suffering a massive stroke.

The daughter of Henry and Ruby (Robinson) Sunde, Leonora Marie (Tudy) Grunhovd was born June 27, 1925, on a farm south of Thompson, Iowa. When Tudy was three years old, they moved to a farm just south of Vinje, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethel Lutheran Church in Vinje.

Leonora attended Logan #4 grade school. She lived with her aunt Julia Bell while attending two years of high school in Thompson before graduating from Scarville High School in 1943.

Leonora was united in marriage to Harold Grunhovd on May 17, 1943. While Harold was serving in Georgia, Leonora worked as a nanny in Savannah. When Harold went overseas, she relocated to Duluth, Minnesota, and worked at a bank there.

After Harold was discharged from the Army, the couple moved to Decorah, Iowa, while Harold attended Luther College on the GI Bill. Leonora was a homemaker and an avid basketball fan. They lived in Scarville, Seneca, Ledyard, and Sheffield while Harold taught and coached girls' basketball in those communities. When Harold started his career with Farm Bureau Insurance, the couple lived in Clear Lake, Iowa, and Mankato, Minnesota. In 1976, they moved back to Scarville for twelve years.

After Harold retired in 1989, Tudy and Harold moved to Albert Lea, Minnesota, and spent several winters in Surprise, Arizona, as well. In April of 2003, they moved to Thompson because of Harold's declining health. After Harold's death, Tudy continued to reside in Thompson until April of 2010 when she moved to Mills Harbour in Lake Mills.

Leonora was devoted to her family and especially her grandsons and great grandchildren. She crocheted afghans for everyone. She also was known for the many beautiful pieces of count cross-stitch and needlework she did before her eyesight failed because of macular degeneration. In her later years, she crocheted dishcloths and afghans from memory and also enjoyed making little blankets for new babies.

Leonora is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law, Diane (Jim) Kozitza, of Thompson, and Linda (Steve) Peik, of Oelwein; five grandsons: Warren (Laurel) Kozitza, of River Falls, Wisconsin, Chad (Amy) Kozitza, of Big Lake, Minnesota, Jared Kozitza, of River Falls, Wisconsin, Matthew Peik, and special friend, Darcy Hampton, of Davenport, Iowa, and Dr. Samuel Peik, of Washington, DC; and four great-grandchildren: Jackson, Emma, Phoebe and Tessa Kozitza.

Leonora is also survived by a brother, Duane (Eileen) Sunde, of Vinje; her sisters, Merna Sunde, of Albert Lea, Minnesota, and Karen (Richard) Throne, of Vinje; as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; her parents, Henry and Ruby Sunde, and an infant grandson, Benjamin Claude Peik.

Funeral service will be at 1:30 PM, Thursday, March 17, 2011, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Thompson with Pastor Mark Decker officiating.

Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 PM on Wednesday, March 16, 2011, at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 East Main Street, Lake Mills, and again one hour prior to the service at the church.

She will be cremated after the funeral service, and inurnment will take place at Bethel Lutheran Cemetery in Vinje, Iowa, at a later date.

Copyright © 2011, Mittelstadt Funeral Home

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