Lois Jeanne Gruenenfelder died peaceably at her home in Edina on December 3. She was born on October 19, 1921 and was 99 years old at the time of her death.
She lived her entire life in the state of Minnesota, born in New Ulm, growing up in St. Paul and Minneapolis, and returning to New Ulm during her high school years. There, she graduated as valedictorian of her high-school class. That accomplishment earned her a scholarship to St. Catherine College (now University) in St. Paul. After graduating from St. Kate’s in 1943 she remained very active in their alumni association over the years, being always grateful for the scholarship that they provided her and the opportunities that gave her.
Lois Jeanne spent most of her working life in Owatonna, but returned to the Twin Cities area (Edina) after her retirement. She always had a strong sense of what is proper, and tried her best to follow that sense. In Edina, she was a member of Our Lady of Grace parish and was a devout Catholic throughout her life. Her Catholicism was a large part, probably the largest part, of her life. Lois Jeanne was an accomplished pianist, probably more accomplished than she knew. She was the favorite aunt and best friend of her severely mentally disabled nephew, David. David always looked forward to his two-weeks of summer vacation with “Sis.” Despite his disabilities, she took him everywhere, filling those two weeks with lots of fun and love.
Lois Jeanne was preceded in death by her father (Anton B. Gruenenfelder), mother (Agnes Gruenenfelder, nee Esser), brother (John B. Gruenenfelder), sister-in-law Mildred M. Gruenenfelder (nee Segan) and three nephews, David J. Gruenenfelder, John R. Gruenenfelder, and Gregory P. Gruenenfelder. She is survived by her niece, Rev. Vivian Dawn Gruenenfelder, and her two nephews, Paul S. Gruenenfelder and Thomas M Gruenenfelder.
Mass of Christian Burial 5:30 p.m. Thur., Dec., 10, 2020 at The Church of Our Lady of Grace, 5071 Eden Ave, Edina, MN 55436. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Holy Cross Association at Notre Dame, https://www.holycrossusa.org/holy-cross-association/ , Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province, P O Box 765, Notre Dame, IN 46556-0765
To stream Lois's Mass of Christian Burial, please visit this link:
www.olgparish.org/mass/lois-gruenenfeld