Thief River Falls – Grace Lunsetter, 87, of Thief River Falls, formerly of Gatzke, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 18, 2024, at Thief River Care Center surrounded by her loving family.
Grace Kathleen Peterson was born November 13, 1937 in Gatzke, the daughter of Albert and Ida (Taie) Peterson. She was baptized and confirmed on April 26, 1959 at United Lutheran Church in Gatzke. She attended District 122 Country School near Gatzke through the 8th grade and graduated from Roseau High School with the Class of 1955. Her senior year, Grace moved in with her sister, Helen Loken so she could finish high school in Roseau. After high school, she moved to the Twin Cities to work at a rehabilitation hospital.
When Grace was 16 years old, at a barn dance where her father was playing, she met her future husband, and on her 18th birthday, Grace was engaged to her soulmate, Glenn Norris Lunsetter. They married on April 14, 1956, at United Lutheran Church in Gatzke and this was the first event in the new church. The couple made their home on the Lunsetter family homestead where they raised their five children, Melanie, Maurice, Gene, Gerry and Kenny.
In addition to working alongside Glenn on the farm, Grace worked at various places in the area including the Gatzke Café, Northern Pride in Thief River Falls and for 25 years at Polaris in Roseau.
She enjoyed flowers, gardening, feeding the birds, playing cards, playing Rook with the neighbors, spending time with the kids and grandkids, and attending all of their school and church activities. She also enjoyed music, dancing and listening to the Back Behind The Barn Boys and The Woodpicks.
Grace was a member of United Lutheran Church in Gatzke and was active with the United Lutheran Church Women. She was also a member of the Gatzke Senior Citizens Club and Band Boosters.
Grace was gentle, kind, nurturing, loving, quiet and yet strong when she needed to be.
Survivors include her loving children, Melanie Lunsetter, Gene (Jacki) Lunsetter all of Thief River Falls, Gerry (Mardy) Lunsetter and Kenny (Carrie) Lunsetter all of Gatzke; grandchildren, Michelle (Jeff) Aakhus of Plummer, Joel (Steph) Lunsetter of Fargo, ND, Jenna (Shay) Erickson, Carly Lunsetter all of Thief River Falls, Andre Saban, Gracie Lunsetter, Mollie Lunsetter all of Gatzke; great-grandchildren, Katie (Tony) Lunsetter, Brooks and Wren Erickson all of Thief River Falls; great- great-grandchildren, Awbree and Haven Lunsetter of Thief River Falls; sister-in-law, Gloria Sistad of Grygla; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other friends and relatives.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Glenn in 2009; son, Maurice in 2015; parents; sisters, Ione Aune, Helen Loken and Dorothy Peterson; brother, Rodney Peterson, and a brother in infancy, Lyle Peterson; brothers-in-law, Ralph Hagen, Olaf Aune, Vernon Loken, Eugene Zacharias, Marlyn Sistad; sisters-in-law, Jo Peterson, Verna Peterson, Eleanor Zacharias; and her beloved cat, Mimi.
Grace’s family deeply appreciates and wishes to thank the Thief River Care Center for their compassionate care.
Visitation was held from 5–7 p.m. with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls. Visitation also took place at 10 a.m. with the service to celebrate Grace’s life at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 22, 2024, at United Lutheran Church in Gatzke, with Rev. Timothy Lundeen officiating. Burial followed at Landstad Cemetery, Gatzke.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com.
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