Lenore Grann

lenore grann

Lenore Grann, of Perth, North Dakota, died peacefully on January 17, 2013 at the Villa Maria nursing home in Fargo, ND at the age of 88.

Lenore Olga Eicher was born on July 15, 1924 at her family home in St. Michael, Minnesota.  She was the youngest girl in a family of twelve.  She enjoyed her St. Michael upbringing and maintained loving ties with her siblings throughout her life.  After graduating from Buffalo High School, Lenore, with help from her sister Alma, attended Miss Woods Teachers School.  Her first job as a grade school teacher was in Morgan, Minnesota, and after two years, accepted a teaching position at Forest Lake.  She was a natural at teaching and absolutely loved her first graders.  Lenore made many friends, and would take summer vacations with them throughout the United States and Canada.

In 1955, one teacher friend, Harriet Grann, introduced Lenore to her brother, John, who farmed near Perth, North Dakota.  This blind date resulted in a wedding two years later, on October 19, 1957 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in St. Michael, Minnesota.  This was the beginning of a second phase in her life—as a farm wife and mother.  John and Lenore were true soul mates.

Lenore adapted very well from city girl to farm wife.  She and John had six children which they raised with patience and love.  Lenore’s unwavering Catholic devotion was an inspiration to everyone and was also apparent in how she lived and raised her family.  She was active within their community and especially at Holy Rosary Church of Bisbee, where she enjoyed teaching catechism and being involved with the Altar Society and Homemakers.  Lenore was devoted to the Blessed Mother, always seeing the good in those around her.

Over the years together, John and Lenore saw their children grow into adults and have families of their own.  Lenore was very special to her 15 grandchildren.  She was always in high demand for baking, babysitting and gardening projects as well as reading stories as only a grandmother and teacher can do.  Lenore’s grandson, Conner, lived nearby and the two of them would spend many hours together visiting and going for walks over the years.

Lenore is survived by her loving husband, John, of 55 years, sister Alma Kienzle and brother Howard (Moby) Eicher.  She is also survived by her children:  Louise (Samy) Karaz, Fargo, ND; John Jr. (Donna) Grann, Shyenne, ND; Robert (friend Pam) Grann, Casper, WY; Ann (Pat) Hedger, Killdeer, ND; Paul (Lori) Grann, Perth, ND and Susan (Don) Nelson, Fargo, ND, and grandchildren: Katya and David Karaz, Ben Bobbie, Lacey and Johnny Grann, Tyler Grann, Erika (Travis) Bauer and Mathew Hedger, Connor, Calvin and Holden Grann and Grant, Cassie, and Jens Nelson.

The family would like to give special thanks to Lenore’s loving care givers at the Villa Maria Nursing home.  The compassion they provided to Lenore during her last years is very much appreciated and their kindness will not be forgotten.

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  1. Youngstown OhioAunt Lenore was a truly beautiful, gentle, and loving person and a most devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. We are sad at her passing, but we know she was welcomed with “open arms” into heaven and is now reunited with her parents and siblings and enjoying eternal life with God. We offer our sympathy to John and all the children and grandchildren. You are her legacy. May you carry her memory always in your hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

  2. New York NYAunt Lenore was my mother Esther’s younger sister, and one of the nicest people anyone could ever know. I can only offer my deepest condolences to all the family, but we shall love and cherish her always in our memories and hearts.

  3. Oakland CASending love to the family.

    I’m Esther’s youngest daughter, niece of Lenore. Wishing you all peace as you go through this loss.

    Warmly, Mary

  4. Mountain Home IdahoI want to extend my deepest sympathy to John and family. I have very fond memories of Lenore, what a wonderful friend and neighbor.

    Sincerely, Mary

  5. Bloomington MN
    We’re so sorry for your loss. Aunt Lenore was my godmother and she always set a great example. She was a kind, cheerful, hardworking person. She and Uncle John welcomed our family warmly whenever we visited Perth. We have wonderful memories of those visits.
    Aunt Lenore made the world a better place – and now she rests in peace in God’s kingdom.
    Love, Rick & Mary (Kienzle) Tacheny

  6. Hopkins MN
    I feel privelidged that I can sign my sister Lenore’s Guest Book. She was a gifted and wholesome person. Her personality included a bright sense of humor, a good wife, mother and grandmother, a perfect hostess, and most of all a loving and wonderful sister.
    I will miss her deeply and I will seek comfort in the wonderful memories we created together over the years.
    tDpkQ

  7. Olivia MN
    I regret not being able to attend Lenore’s funeral. Lenore and my mom were very close and I remember how well they interacted when ever they were together. Iwill always remember when my mother and I made the trip to Fargo in 2010 so mom could visit Lenore in the nursing home. It was particularly gratifying when Lenore recognized mom calling her Alma Eicher, her maiden name.

    Lenore and John were always first rate hosts whenever we visited. Lenore will be missed.

  8. fargo ndIm so sorry to hear about you Lenore. I enjoyed taking care of her during my time at villa she made my time there so enjoyable and Im going to miss her smiling face 🙂 and it saddens me I didn’t make it there since I left to say hi and bye one last time. My thoughts are with you and your family

  9. Rogers MN
    John and family,
    My heart goes out to all of you. Lenore was such a wonderful person – so genuine and full of heart.
    Early childhood memories of our trips to ND
    bring back the “nice uncle, and the nice aunt who was always pregnant”, the fun cousins, the dogs (always one named Lady in the mix), and Beauty, the little horse. You were always wonderful hosts and we felt welcome, safe, and cared for in your home.
    Lenore was such a gift and she will be missed by many of us. I know my mother could expound on this much further, now missing her sister and friend. Lenore will always be in our hearts.

    Love and prayers to you all.

  10. Fargo ND
    I had hoped to come this AM but my schedule changed so it didn’t work out. You are all in my thoughts and prayers during this time. When I was asked to lead the bedside prayer service, it was an honor and really meant a lot to me. I didn’t know Lenore prior to her stay @ Villa, but she never lost her pleasant disposition and I will always remember her with her doll. As we talked about, I feel like I’ve known you far longer than only the past year or so and it was a priviledge to care for your Mom.

  11. Rolla ND
    So sorry to hear about your mom….she was truly a wonderful lady. I have so many fond memories from all the time spent at the Grann house when we were kids. Sending thoughts and prayers to all of you. Take care.
    Bethany

  12. Bisbee ND
    So sorry to hear of Lenore’s passing. May you be comforted in knowing that she was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and a special neighbor whom everyone thought so much of and that she is in God’s caring hands now.

  13. Fargo NdDeeply saddened for your loss of your mother. What a lovely obituary of your mother. So well written and she seemed like she was a wonderful person that I would have enjoyed meeting. Take comfort from one another and may God grant you peace.

  14. Rolla NdGrann family,
    We where very sad to hear of the passing of Lenore,she was such a staple of our little Perth community,our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time,god bless

    Doyle

  15. We cherish the time we shared with you, Lenore. Your love and grace has been spread to everyone you knew. God bless you and your family.

  16. Killdeer ND
    We love you, Grandma Grann!! Thank you so much for filling our lives with faith and love, and for being the greatest example of living life for God. We miss you so very much, but are very happy that you get to be with God.

    Love, Erika and Travis


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