Gloria M. Grinde

Gloria Grinde, 79, joined her savior on Monday, September 8, 2014, at Luther Memorial Home in Mayville, ND. Gloria Mae Dunford was born to Virgil and Leta (Armstrong) on March 29, 1935, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She graduated from Norman High School in Norman, OK. After high school she started working at the drug store, specifically the soda fountain, where she met the love of her life, Wayne Grinde. They were married on November 29, 1954. Wayne and Gloria moved to North Dakota after they married. They lived in Fargo, Bottineau and planted their roots in Park River, ND where they raised their three children. After her husband died in 2008 she moved to assisted living at Luther Memorial Home, Mayville, ND and moved into the nursing home in February 2013 where she loved the staff and residents. Gloria worked as church secretary for Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church and also worked many years as a clerk at the Rexall Drug Store in Park River. She was a serious card player and was always up for a good game. Her favorite games were bridge and pinochle. She enjoyed bowling (and was pretty good at it), traveling, camping and LOVED to go fishing with her family. She spent numerous summers at Sioux Narrows, Ontario, Canada, where she would lure in the walleye saying, “here fishy, fishy, fishy”. Gloria was a devoted Christian, wife and mother and was overjoyed to be a grandmother of six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was an avid Bison Football fan, and also had a special place in her heart for the Oklahoma Sooners. She would skip meals just so she wouldn't miss any of the games. She was loved unconditionally by so many and will remain in our hearts forever. Gloria was especially proud of her children: Gary (Renae) Grinde, Grafton, ND, Deborah (Barry) Grotte, Hope, ND and Douglas (Jane) Grinde, Buxton, ND; grandchildren: Jennifer, Tyler, Tanner, Max, Alex and Jonah; great-grandchildren: Ava and Ruby. She is also survived by her sisters: Betty Costin, Mineola, TX, Leta Marie (Larry) Bennison, Lafayette, IN; and one brother, William Dunford, Oklahoma City, OK; three sisters-in-law: Elaine (Orien) Klath, Portland, ND, Elenore Grinde, Mayville, ND and Becky Dunford, Norman, OK; and many nieces and nephews whom she loved as her own children. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne; her parents, and her brother, Richard Dunford. Visitation: Will be 5 – 7 PM with a 7:00 PM Public Prayer Service on Thursday, September 11, 2014 at the Baker Funeral Home Chapel and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral Service: 10:30 AM Friday, September 12, 2014 at the Bruflat Lutheran Church in Portland, ND. Burial: Will be at the Trinity Cemetery, Portland, ND.