Ethel Grove

Ethel Butenhoff Grove, 91, of Crookston, MN, died peacefully early Friday morning, April 20, 2012, at the Villa St. Vincent in Crookston. Ethel was born at Renville, MN on July 21, 1920, and was the thirteenth of sixteen children born to the union of Gustav and Martha (Miller) Butenhoff. Ethel was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and as a young girl moved with her family to rural Fisher, MN, where she attended school. On June 19, 1940 she was united in marriage to Raymond Grove at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Fisher, by The Rev. Ted Melinot. Ethel and Ray were blessed by the births of four children: Sharon, Diane, Judy, and Shirley. Very sadly, Shirley, died as an infant, and Judy Rae Rassett passed away on February 17, 1993. Ethel and Ray made their first home in Lowell township, near Fisher, and while Ethel did housekeeping for others, Ray worked on area farms. In 1942 the couple moved to their own farm in Andover township, rural Crookston, where they raised their family while working side by side running a very successful farming operation. In 1977 they began spending winters in Tucson, AZ, moving over to Apache Junction, AZ in 1980. They retired from farming in 1983, and after spending 49 years on the farm, moved into Crookston in 1991. For several years, Ethel and Ray were devoted members of the Sand Hill Lutheran Church, rural Climax, MN, and Ethel taught Sunday school there. In 1954 they became members of the Trinity Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday school, served on the Altar Guild and several church committees, and was a member and past-president of the Women of the ELCA (WELCA). Ethel and Ray also held associate memberships at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Apache Junction. Ethel was a longtime member of the RiverView Hospital Auxiliary and gave much of her time as a volunteer. She was active in the Polk County Historical Society, the Golden Link Senior Citizens Center, the South Lowell Homemakers Club, the Crookston Garden Club, and served as a past vice-president of the District Horticulture Society. She received many championship ribbons at flower shows over the years for the beautiful flowers she grew. Ethel and Ray were honored as Crookston's Experienced Americans in August, 1994. They were able to enjoy fifty-four years of marriage, and many years of travel together, before his passing on April 29, 1995. Ethel loved her family dearly and was very proud of their accomplishments. She counted her blessings daily; and after a life spent enduring and achieving, often said "I would not change a thing." Grateful to have shared in her life are her two daughters and son-in-law, Sharon Draegert of Shoreview, MN, and Diane and David Colborn of Crookston, MN; 8 grandchildren: John Bradshaw, Mark Rassett (fiancé, Angela Perez), Mary (Michael) Horowicki, Jurene Draegert (Dan Palphi), David Draegert, Lori (Dennis) Juvland, Christin (Jason) Soltis, and Wesley (Caroline) Colborn; 22 great-grandchildren: Jamie, Brandon, Kaylee, Taylor, Nathaniel, Raymond, Jackson, Emma, Cali, Jacob, Matthew, Brittany, Anissa, Devon, Haley, Caira, Tiffany, Mikayla, Andrew, Brianna, Brandon, and Cheyenne; great-great granddaughter, Brooke; a brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law, Telbert and Lorraine Grove of East Grand Forks, MN and Harriette Rubenstein of Denver, CO; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. In addition to her beloved husband, Ray, and daughters, Judy Rae and Shirley, Ethel was preceded in death by her parents, Gustav and Martha; and all of her siblings, including 3 brothers: Harry Butenhoff, and twins, Albert and Alfred Butenhoff; and 12 sisters: Pauline Duffert, Matilda Blokzyl, Martha Voss, Johanna Sterger, Bernice Foss, Emma Schroeder, Alice Rykes, Helen Evenson, Ida Sterger, Edna Seaton, Arlene Brault, and infant sister, Christina. May God richly bless the memory of Ethel Grove.

Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home 615 South Minnesota Street Crookston, MN US 56716

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Previous Events

Visitation
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Service
Friday, April 27, 2012
cemetery
Friday, April 27, 2012