Lois Gronseth

Lois Gronseth, age 86, passed away peacefully in her home at Cannon River Senior Living on September 11, 2025.

Lois Elaine Gronseth was born at home in Grand Meadow, MN to Ernest Kelley and Edith Kelley (McCollister). Lois married her first love, Dale Oelke, in September 1956. Together they had two children, Cindy and Bret Oelke. On December 31, 1959, Dale died in an accident. Lois remarried March 18, 1961 to Gary Gronseth and together had one child, Darren Gronseth.

Lois was a long-time community member of Winnebago and Blue Earth communities. She was a 4-H leader for Riverside 4-H Club in Winnebago. She was active in the Faribault County Homemakers group, the Rebekah Lodges, and the Circle at United Methodist in Winnebago. In later years Lois was a member of Hope United Methodist Church in Blue Earth. Throughout her life she helped with the farm and enjoyed raising and showing their Purebred Suffolk sheep with her husband Gary. She loved to garden, especially her flowers. Lois loved to cook and used her love of baking in her work catering at Jubas in Blue Earth. She enjoyed traveling to fairs and shows to watch her grandchildren and great-grandchildren show sheep and goats. She loved to travel with her friends and family, and especially loved being home with her dogs and cats. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Dale Oelke and Gary Gronseth; her parents, Ernest and Edith Kelley; sister, Beth McGee; in-laws, Carl and Lela Oelke, and Roy and Arlene Gronseth; and many dear friends.

Lois is survived by her three children, Cindy (Jim) DeRosier, Bret (Lorie) Oelke, and Darren (Christine) Gronseth; ten grandchildren and their partners, Jen and Ker Yang, Christopher DeRosier and Anne Holtan, Sarah and Adam Janzen, Joseph and Jessica Oelke, Jessica and Jared Brinkman, John and Maggie Oelke, Jodee and Jerrod Nohner, Jackie Oelke and Logan Semingson, Claire and Ben Kirby, and Mia and Christopher Grenfell; 24 great-grandchildren who loved their Ggma. Lois is also survived by one brother, Ernest Kelley; brother in laws Ron and Gene Gronseth and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 20 at 10:30am, with visitation from 9:30am to 10:30am, at Lundberg Funeral Home in Cannon Falls. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery at 3:30pm in Winnebago, MN.