Alice Louise Hetzer Johnson Grimsbo of Grand Rapids, age 95 ½, passed to heaven on June 11 under the waning strawberry moon. Before leaving us, she had a chance to share memories with many loved ones and enjoy numerous delicious bowls of peppermint bon bon ice cream.

Born October 7, 1927, in Stevens Point, WI, Alice's birth thwarted her father's plan for a weekend duck hunting trip. Although she was a Depression-era baby, Alice's self-proclaimed "charmed childhood" was full of swimming, biking, singing, trumpet playing, and spending summers at the family "Pine Haven" cottage in Waupaca, WI.

Following her graduation from P. J. Jacobs High School in Stevens Point, Alice stayed in town for one year to attend Central State Teachers College and then changed course and enrolled at Glenwood Hills Nursing School in Minneapolis. Upon graduation, Alice's longing for adventure brought her to California where she worked for three years at the LA Neurological Institute before returning to Minnesota.

After meeting Clare Johnson at a dance in Minneapolis, they married in 1950 and moved to Grand Rapids in 1957 for Clare's work with the DNR. The lovebirds had four children together and cherished being part of the Southwest neighborhood. Sadly, Clare died of cancer in the prime of his life at age 42.

Alice was a devout Christian and active member of Zion Lutheran Church, and after Clare's death in 1962 she was introduced to Norwegian bachelor farmer and inventor Olaf Grimsbo through some of their dear Zion friends. They married in 1964 and welcomed a fifth child to the family the following year. In 1970, the family relocated to the house on Harris Town Road that Olaf built for Alice, and they were "Winter Texans" at the Citrus Village mobile park in La Feria, Texas from 1992 – 2013.

Throughout the years, Alice shared her many talents with organizations including Camp Fire Girls, Lutheran Church Women, Sons of Norway, Izaac Walton League, Eastern Star, Showboat, Zion Release Time, American Field Service, and the Wendigo Variety Club. Additionally, she was a super soprano soloist for Zion's choir and sang at many local events – most importantly singing "The Lord's Prayer" at all her children's weddings.

Alice was also known for her sweet corn stand, gingersnap cookies, birthday phone calls, New Year's Eve sledding parties, handwritten letters, hosting corn feed and lefse rolling parties, and taking copious photographs that documented her amazing life. Oh, the photo albums she has! Special memories include her teenage bike trip from Stevens Point to Milwaukee and back, her and Clare's road trip honeymoon to NYC, tours to Norway (1978) and Germany (1995), and the "Awesome Austrian Adventure" (2012) where she met many Austrian relatives and visited the town of her mother's birth.

"Granny" was the biggest fan of her 11 grandkids and three great-grandkids. She loved supporting them and attending their various activities, events, and graduations, both near and far. Her grandkids cherish the many ways she expressed her love for them, including her giving back and foot rubs, making delicious root beer floats, and providing spending money with her "a penny a pinecone" yardwork scheme. Her active lifestyle, wit, entertaining stories, and amazing memory continue to astound and inspire us all. The ultimate optimist, she believed one could sincerely cheer for both the Vikings and the Packers. We already miss her beautiful singing voice, her personalized cards, and her delicious potato salad.

Alice is preceded in death by parents Wilfred and Wilhelmina Hetzer, brothers Howard and Larry Hetzer, husbands Clare Johnson and Olaf Grimsbo, and son Mark Johnson. She is survived by children Joy (Paul) Rittenhouse of Richfield, MN, Janet Johnson (Greg Mauriello) of Ludlow, VT, Holly (Chris) Jacobsen of Naperville, IL, and Gerry (Angie) Grimsbo of Hermantown, MN; cousin Bonnie Kenny; grandchildren Cornelius (Bridget) Kuhn-Larson, Mara (Rex) Baker, Greta Rittenhouse, Heidi Rittenhouse, Erik (Gemma Williams) Jacobsen, Alice (Zach Scheffler) Johnson, Letizia Mauriello, Taylor Grimsbo, Louisa Jacobsen, Madison Grimsbo, and Kyleigh Grimsbo; great-grandchildren Max Baker, Hugo Kuhn-Larson, and Katherine Clare Kuhn-Larson, as well as many nieces, nephews, in-laws, neighbors, and friends.

Alice's interment will occur directly after the memorial service with military honors for her son Mark, which begins on Friday, July 28 at 2:30pm at Itasca-Calvary Cemetery, Grand Rapids, MN. A luncheon will immediately follow at Zion Lutheran Church, continued by a celebration of life songfest at approximately 5:00pm to honor Alice's love for songs and stories.

Alice's family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the nurses and staff of River Grand Senior Living, Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital, and St. Croix Hospice for the love and care they provided. Memorials are preferred to ElderCircle, Zion Lutheran Church music department, Second Harvest Food Shelf – Grand Rapids, or St. Croix Hospice. Arrangements are with Rowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Grand Rapids, MN. To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.