Theresa Gronvold
Feb. 24, 1924-Sept. 30, 2024
Minot
Theresa Dorothy Gronvold, the daughter of Frank and Anna (Keller) Mattern was born on February 24, 1924, on the farm home of her parents with Dr. G.O. Bundy, attending in rural east Barton, North Dakota. She died at the age of 100 years, with family by her side on Monday, September 30th, 2024, at the Heart of America Care Center in Rugby, North Dakota.
Theresa was the 10th of 13 children to Frank and Anna and was raised in their home on the family farm in East Barton Township. She attended grade school near her home, which were fun days whether at school or the play days when they went to the Rugby fairgrounds with other county schools to compete in running, sack races and other activities. While growing up, harvest season was a busy time for the Mattern family. Her dad and siblings would help run the threshing machines and her mother would do the cooking for the crews. With their faith and love, they made it through many things, including the Great Depression. Theresa’s mother died when she was 12 years old. When she began high school, she went to Rugby and stayed with her sister during the winter months. She graduated from Rugby High School, the class of 1942. After high school, being a true farmgirl, she continued living on the farm, where she farmed and raised turkey’s with her father. She loved horses, would ride often, even if it was to ride to her sisters to borrow a baking ingredient. She loved everything about farm life.
November 7, 1945 was a happy day for Theresa, when she was united in marriage to her sweetheart, Victor Gronvold in Missoula, Montana. The couple made their home on the Gronvold family farm near Barton, where they farmed, ranched and raised their family. She was so proud to watch her children grow and see their milestones. When she was blessed with grandchildren, they became her life. She followed them in everything they were involved with and was their biggest fan. In 1995, Victor and Theresa retired and moved into Rugby. Their grandchildren stayed many nights with them as she was a very hands-on grandma. She enjoyed spending time at their cabin at Lake Metigoshe and enjoyed following her children’s, grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s sports, hardly missing one of their events. Theresa was a member of the Barton Lutheran Church, active in the Barton Ladies Aide, where many quilts were made. She loved her community. Her family meant everything to her and she will never stop cheering them on. She saw a lot in her 100 years, was resilient, wise and always kept going with her faith, spunk and wit. Her legacy will live on through her family, who was blessed to have her and will greatly miss her love, support, smile and humor.
Theresa is survived by her daughters, Sheila (Gil) Harper of Rugby and Bonnie Voeller of West Fargo; daughters-in-law, Fern Gronvold and Lori Gronvold; 15 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Victor; sons, Thomas, Bruce and Archie; granddaughter, Danielle Voeller; son-in-law, John Voeller; siblings, Barbara (Howard) Morton, Peter (Elizabeth) Mattern, Annie Morrison, Casper (Alice) Mattern, Mary (Al) Hamby, Joe (Myrtle) Mattern, Helen (Walter) Kraft, Lawrence Mattern, Margaret (Pius) Schmidt, Joyce (Bruce) Robson and 2 infant siblings.
The family would like to thank the Haaland Home and the Heart of America Care Center for their great and compassionate care for our mother.
Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, October 7, 2024 at Barton Lutheran Church with burial in the Barton Cemetery with lunch to follow at the Rugby Senior Center. Pastor Sharon Baker, officiating. Organist: Pam Anderson. Casket Bearers: Grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
Arrangements with the Anderson Funeral Home of Rugby. Online registry: www.funeralsbyanderson.com.
Published by The Pierce County Tribune, October 12, 2024.