Gerald E. Gronseth

A memorial service celebrating Gerald's life will be held Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 2:00 pm. at Hope Lutheran Church in Sunburg. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood. 

Gerald Ellsworth Gronseth, 81, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2025, at the farm in Kerkhoven Township, Swift County, Minnesota, where he was born on August 21, 1943.

Gerald was the second of two children born to Olaf and Mabel (Thompson) Gronseth. He spent his early years on the family farm, developing a deep appreciation for farming and the value of hard work. A graduate of Kerkhoven High School, Class of 1962, Gerald met his match in high school sweetheart Sharen Paaverud. They were married on September 14, 1963, at West Norway Lake Lutheran Church in Sunburg, MN, and together built a life full of love, laughter, and four children: Rodney, Kim, Terry, and Rick.

Gerald worked at Willmar Manufacturing for 14 years, earning respect for his work ethic and ingenuity, but his heart never left the farm. He continued to farm throughout his life. Even after moving to Parkview Court Assisted Living, weekends were reserved for tinkering and working on projects on the farm—right up until his final days.

A natural problem-solver, Gerald had a gift for fixing and improving anything mechanical. Whether modifying farm equipment or restoring his beloved old Fords, his mind was always at work, making things run better.

Gerald is survived by his wife, Sharen of Glenwood; sons Rodney (Marge) Gronseth of Sunburg, Terry (Debra) Gronseth of Murdock, and Rick (Ann Hanson-Welker) Gronseth of Benson; daughter Kim (Kevin) Wick of Forest Lake; grandchildren Michael, Rochelle, Megan, Dylan, John, Katie, Allyssa, and J.J.; great-grandchildren Shay, Renna, Colby, Josie, Gunder, Odin, Maggie, Emma, Dean, and Avery; his brother, Orvin (Donna) Gronseth of Murdock; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

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