Esther L. Grell, age 86, of Cambridge died December 2, 2012 at Cambridge Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 PM on Friday, December 7th at Cambridge Lutheran Church with Rev. Andy Romstad and Rev. David Everett officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will be in St. John’s Cemetery near Rush Lake.
Esther Lavonne Grell was born February 13, 1926 in Hurdsfield, North Dakota to Nels and Ruth (Knutson) Ekness. She was raised and attended school in Hurdsfield, an area Esther cherished with the wide open prairie and the Meadowlark birds. On March 2, 1946 Esther married Duane Grell in St. Paul. They made their home in St. Paul until moving to Stanchfield in 1959. They also lived in Grandy before moving to Cambridge over twenty years ago. Esther was the Musical Director with Project Teach at the Cambridge State Hospital. She had a special gift working with the kids and they adored her. Esther came from a musical family; she loved playing the piano by ear, everything in the” key of C.” She also loved fishing, especially at the Waukenabo Resort where their family vacationed every summer. Esther was a member of Cambridge Lutheran Church where she had many dear friends.
Esther died December 2, 2012 after a brief illness at Cambridge Medical Center at the age of 86 years, 9 months and 19 days. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert and Alvin Ekness, and by a grandson, Jason Grell.
Esther will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Duane; six children, Gary (Judy) Grell of Cambridge, Steve (Robin) Grell of Cambridge, David (Paula) Grell of Mountain View, Missouri, Sue (Paul) Hupfer of Cambridge, Gerald (Kathi) Grell of Cambridge and Gail (Brian) Kling of Cambridge; by 18 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and by many other relatives and friends.
When I think of Esther two words have always come to mind; kind and gentle. A beautiful woman is gone, but a wonderful spirit soars. My sympathies and love to all of you.
What a great lady. We have so many wonderful memories of her playing piano at several nursing homes plus playing for us at our resort in AZ. We enjoyed so many breakfasts with her
And Duane at Perkins. We will miss her so much. Remember how much she loved Elvis. I asked Elvis to sing for her at the last Elvis concert, she loved it. We will always be thankful we
Had Esther as a part of our lives.
We are so sorry for your loss. I was talking with my mom today and told her people can send a guestbook entry in Esther’s memory. She asked me to send the following to all of you and your families…
I’m losing a good friend. A good neighbor 50 years ago and still a good friend 50 years later. You will be missed by many. An old friend… Love, Lanie
Hard to see all the moms going on ahead. A really nice lady each and every time I met her. My sincere sympathies to the Esther’s family.