1930
Haavel
2014
Haavel Grinager
September 20, 1930 — May 29, 2014
Haavel "Holly" Grinager, 83, of Fergus Falls, died of congestive heart failure on Thursday, May 29, 2014, at Sanford Health in Fargo, ND.
Haavel Ambrose Grinager was born on September 20, 1930 in Fergus Falls, MN, the son of Haavel and Cecelia (Mehleis) Grinager, Sr.. He was baptized, received his First Holy Communion and was confirmed in Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church.
After graduating from Fergus Falls High School in 1948, Holly joined the Air Force. He first served at Parks AFB in California, later at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX. Holly was an expert sharpshooter, winning local, state and national competitions. In 1948, he earned his "Expert Rifleman" rating from the National Rifle Association of America. Because of his expertise, Holly was designated as a firearms instructor for the Air Force and trained servicemen in all matters pertaining to firearms during the Korean War.
Following his honorable discharge, Holly returned to Fergus Falls and worked for Otter Tail Power Company. He later worked for the State of Minnesota in Brainerd as a surveyor and at one point lived and worked in California and Alaska. In 1967, Holly moved to Rochester, MN where he worked as a design draftsman for the City of Rochester. In 1973, he acquired Senior Engineering Technician status, retiring in 1988.
On November 23, 1984, Holly married Jeanette Connelly Twernbold at St. James Catholic Church in Maine Township, MN. After his retirement, they moved to a lake home on Round Lake, near Otter Tail Lake. They moved into Fergus Falls in 1996 and have been members of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church since that time.
Holly was an avid outdoorsman, especially passionate about hunting ducks and geese. Earlier years included fishing as well. Throughout his life, he volunteered his time training youth in firearm safety. He had an incredible memory, loved all sorts of problem solving, especially Jumbo, Cryptoquip and Numbrix problems.
Holly is survived by his wife Jeanette of Fergus Falls; six step-children: Gloria Nyreen of Underwood, Russell Twernbold of Deer Park, WI, Glen (Sharon) Twernbold of Chatfield, MN, Douglas (Shawn) Twernbold of Rochester, MN, David (Carol) Twernbold of Dover, MN, and Bob Twernbold of Eyota, MN; a sister, Kathleen Grinager (Richard) Frisch of Rochester; niece, Patricia (James) Blum of Rochester, MN; nephews Michael (JoAnn) Frisch and Stephen Frisch of Rochester; one great-niece and nephew; one great-great-nephew; fourteen step-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Holly was preceded in death by a step-son-in-law, Lawrence Nyreen; and a cousin, Paul D. Grinager.
Visitation: 5 – 7 PM Monday, with a Rosary beginning at 6:15 PM, followed by parish prayers and a time of sharing, at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls. Visitation resumes one hour prior to services at the church.
Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 AM Tuesday, June 3, 2014, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church
Clergy: Father Alan Wielinski and Deacon Chuck Kampa
Interment: St. Otto's Catholic Cemetery, Fergus Falls
Condolences: GlendeNilson.com
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Holly's Memorial Folder
Haavel Ambrose Grinager was born on September 20, 1930 in Fergus Falls, MN, the son of Haavel and Cecelia (Mehleis) Grinager, Sr.. He was baptized, received his First Holy Communion and was confirmed in Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church.
After graduating from Fergus Falls High School in 1948, Holly joined the Air Force. He first served at Parks AFB in California, later at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX. Holly was an expert sharpshooter, winning local, state and national competitions. In 1948, he earned his "Expert Rifleman" rating from the National Rifle Association of America. Because of his expertise, Holly was designated as a firearms instructor for the Air Force and trained servicemen in all matters pertaining to firearms during the Korean War.
Following his honorable discharge, Holly returned to Fergus Falls and worked for Otter Tail Power Company. He later worked for the State of Minnesota in Brainerd as a surveyor and at one point lived and worked in California and Alaska. In 1967, Holly moved to Rochester, MN where he worked as a design draftsman for the City of Rochester. In 1973, he acquired Senior Engineering Technician status, retiring in 1988.
On November 23, 1984, Holly married Jeanette Connelly Twernbold at St. James Catholic Church in Maine Township, MN. After his retirement, they moved to a lake home on Round Lake, near Otter Tail Lake. They moved into Fergus Falls in 1996 and have been members of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church since that time.
Holly was an avid outdoorsman, especially passionate about hunting ducks and geese. Earlier years included fishing as well. Throughout his life, he volunteered his time training youth in firearm safety. He had an incredible memory, loved all sorts of problem solving, especially Jumbo, Cryptoquip and Numbrix problems.
Holly is survived by his wife Jeanette of Fergus Falls; six step-children: Gloria Nyreen of Underwood, Russell Twernbold of Deer Park, WI, Glen (Sharon) Twernbold of Chatfield, MN, Douglas (Shawn) Twernbold of Rochester, MN, David (Carol) Twernbold of Dover, MN, and Bob Twernbold of Eyota, MN; a sister, Kathleen Grinager (Richard) Frisch of Rochester; niece, Patricia (James) Blum of Rochester, MN; nephews Michael (JoAnn) Frisch and Stephen Frisch of Rochester; one great-niece and nephew; one great-great-nephew; fourteen step-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Holly was preceded in death by a step-son-in-law, Lawrence Nyreen; and a cousin, Paul D. Grinager.
Visitation: 5 – 7 PM Monday, with a Rosary beginning at 6:15 PM, followed by parish prayers and a time of sharing, at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls. Visitation resumes one hour prior to services at the church.
Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 AM Tuesday, June 3, 2014, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church
Clergy: Father Alan Wielinski and Deacon Chuck Kampa
Interment: St. Otto's Catholic Cemetery, Fergus Falls
Condolences: GlendeNilson.com
Holly's Memorial Folder
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