Hugo “Ole” Griep, age 98, of Crown died August 30, 2009 at Gracepointe Crossing Gables West in Cambridge. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, September 3rd at Zion Lutheran Church in Crown. A visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 2nd at Strike Funeral Home – Isanti Chapel and also one hour prior to the service Thursday at the church. Interement will be in the church cemetery.
Hugo Ole Walter Griep was born July 19, 1911 on the family homestead in Crown, Minnesota to Herman and Sophia (Hartfiel) Griep. He met Thelma Crail through square dancing and in May 1962 they were married. They made their home on the family farm in Crown and faithfully attended Zion Lutheran Church. Ole farmed for several years and later worked at Warner Manufacturing in Minneapolis. Ole loved reading. In his younger years he enjoyed western novels and more recently he read many healthy living related books. He was a foster grandparent (Grandpa Ole) to many students at Bar None Ranch and Crossroads School in St. Francis. He also called and taught square dancing for many years. Ole also enjoyed whittling and even made a 16 foot wooden chain out of a single tree. Ole was honored in 1987 as Isanti County senior citizen of the year.
Hugo Ole Griep passed away August 30, 2009 at Gracepointe Crossing Gables West in Cambridge at the age of 98 years, 1 month and 11 days. He was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma in 1979; parents, Sophia and Herman; and by his brothers and sisters.
Ole is survived by his nephew Donald (Mary Ann) Griep and family of East Bethel, and by many other nieces, nephews, and his many friends at Zion Lutheran Church of Crown where he was a lifetime member.