Visitation: Visitation will be Sunday from 3 to 7:00 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton, with family present from 5 to7:00 p.m.
Service: Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 17, at Lands Lutheran Church, rural Hudson, SD.
Gordon Leroy Grimsrud, 78, passed away on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 17, at Lands Lutheran Church rural Hudson, SD. Visitation will be Sunday from 3 to 7:00 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton, with family present from 5 to 7:00 p.m. Memorials may be directed to Lands Lutheran Church or charity of choice.
Gordon was born March 6, 1939 on his family’s farm near Veblen, SD. He was the son of Arthur and Emma (Jacobson) Grimsrud. He graduated from Veblen High School in 1957 and received his BA degree in Ag Ed from SDSU in 1961. He received his Master degree in Science and Counseling from USD in 1971.
Following his college graduation he taught country school for one semester in the fall of 1961. He married Ella Mae Stortvedt on June 17, 1962. They moved to Plattsmouth, NE where Gordon served 2 years at the US Army missile site affiliated with the Offutt Air Force base until 1964. During this time their son, Douglas, was born. Gordon taught Ag Ed 2nd semester in Dakota, Illinois from January to May 1964.
The couple longed for their South Dakota roots and moved to Bryant, SD where Gordon taught high school Ag Ed, Physical Science, and Biology, coached basketball and track and was co-football coach from 1964 until 1967. His boys basketball team (Bryant Scotties) attended the State B Tournament where they achieved a 4th place finish in 1966. Daughter, Kim, was born during their stay in Bryant, SD. In 1967 he began his 32 year teaching career in Canton, SD where he taught Science and coached boys basketball and track in the junior high. During that time he also enjoyed the job of being the high school basketball time keeper as well as videotaping for the varsity football team. For 27 years his summer’s were spent painting many Canton and rural homes with several of his fellow teachers.
He loved teaching, sports, hunting, fishing and later a hobby of wood carving. After his retirement in 1998 his grandchildren became the special interest and filled much of his time attending their activities. He estimated that he had taught over 3,000 students during his teaching career and having been a part of their lives was a satisfying journey for him. He expressed being blessed to have had the privilege to serve his life as a teacher, husband, father and grandfather.
Gordon’s faith in Jesus Christ was a central part of his life. For many years he was an active member at Canton Lutheran Church where he served on many committees and boards. He later became a member at Lands Lutheran Church. He sang with the Grieg Male Chorus during his retirement.
Those grateful for sharing his life are his wife of 55 years, Ella, Canton, son Douglas (Dianne) Grimsrud, Garretson, SD; daughter Kim (Kirt) Dahl, Canton, SD; 5 grandchildren, Maria (Daniel) Hup, Anna Grimsrud, Kira (Ryan) Kleinjan, Conrad and Carter Dahl, and 2 great grandchildren, Koralynn Kleinjan and Isaac Hup; 1 sister Verona Hofland, Veblen, SD; nieces, nephews, family and many friends.
Preceding him in death are his parents, infant twin sisters, Bonita and Nyla Grimsrud and brother Richard Grimsrud.
I am so sorry to hear of Gordon’s passing. I will always think of him as my teacher. My deepest sympathy.
Dear Ella Mae & Family,
SO sorry to learn of your loss- what a wonderful husband, father, grand-father, great-gr. father and neighbor he was. I’ll miss watching him walk around the block, and chit chatting on my visits to Canton. God must’ve had other plans for him. May HIS peace be with you.
I hope to get up this Sunday- let me know if I can help in anyway.
Sending Sympathy, Prayers & Love,
Faith (Paddy too)
what can I say, this is one of the people in my life when I heard of him passing away,
tears came to my eyes. The world’s lost a great example of how to live life, being a
kind and good man is the greatest goal one can achieve and he did. What a loss, so many moms and dads
of Canton owe so much for him being a teacher for their kids. Ella Mae you’re the best.
love to you and the family ( the chair lives on)
A true kind spirit- I am sure dad met him at the Gates— In our hearts and prayers- always, The McMurry’s
Rachel McMurry
John and Catherine McMurry
Carla and Doug McMurry-Kozak
Diane McMurry
Brent and Suzanne McMurry
Renee and Brit McMurry-Gilman
Ella and family, You have my utmost sympathy. I had the pleasure of having Gordon as a school teacher and a coach. He was my favorite. He was kind, understanding and strict when I needed it. I always enjoyed our little visits when he would come into the store. He will truly be missed by every one in the community.
So sorry to hear of Mr. Grimsrud’s passing. He came to Canton when I started in Junior High. He was a very kind and thoughtful teacher to me. They needed help with a track meet and he asked others and me to help. I said I couldn’t because I had no way to get home afterward. Well, he called my parents and told them he would bring me home. Not only did he do that but, he took me to his home for supper before the meet started. He was a very good man. I will miss seeing him around town. God Bless!
Mr. Grimsrud was one of my favorite teachers and the only one who made me stay after school for talking. I loved catching up with him and Ella Mae. Prayers to the family.
all of our sympathy to all of you. So sorry that you are going through this but it is good Gordy can have peace and no pain. God be with all of you. Lynn and Martha
My deepest sympathies. Mr Grimsrud was a great teacher. I still remember his class. I had a great time finding out my blood type. My sympathy
Jane
My prayers go out to the Grimsrud family. Gordon was my science teacher and basketball coach in junior high. He was one of the reasons I became a teacher and coach. RIP Gordon.
My deepest sympathy to the Grimsrud family. I enjoyed being a student of Gordon and being in the Canton Lutheran Choir with him and Ella Mae. He set a good example of how to live life for many, many students and others who knew him. Rest in Peace, Mr. Grimsrud.
We’re so sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept our condolences. Gordon will be greatly missed. Our prayers are with you all.
Mr. Grimsrud was one of the only teachers that I remember telling me that reading the book would help me learn. That advice helped me throughout all my academics and I became an honor student. I loved talking to him. He was a kind soul. God bless your family during this difficult time.
I am so sorry and my condolences to all of your family. I think of Gordy, first of all as a fellow science teacher who was so concerned for his students. He was somebody I talked to about teaching when I first started at Canton. Then I think of the teacher bowling team and all the track meets. I always enjoyed being around him. Take care of yourselves and may you receive strength and blessings in this time.