More info for Len's funeral

Since we have had so many inqueries, I will post this info all together:
viewing and Sharing/Prayer service is at West-Kjos Funeral Home 900 Summit Ave. Detroit Lakes, MN 218-847-7279 4:00-8:00pm. ~ Funeral services Fri. 11:00am at Shell Lake Immanuel Lutheran Church. Flowers are being done by Floral Impressions 819 Lincoln Ave. Detroit Lakes, MN 1-800-310-9491. (or 218-847-9491) They will do fresh, silk, or living plants. If you were thinking to send something that would be planted outdoors afterwards, contact Bergen's Greenhouses & Garden Center 801 Willow St. Detroit Lakes 218-847-2138. Again, please don't overdo it because you know how practical Dad was. Thank you for all your concern and your show of love....we really appreciate it.

~ Another thing i want to share is that Dad was "working" up until even an hour and a half before his death...He was talking to Sara on the phone, and saying that since we have had this cold weather and yet more snow, there is a very real possibility that the ice will not be off the lake for the fishing opener. He thought that Mom should for sure call everyone who has a reservation that week and try to postpone their reservations for a week or so later...."it simply must be done!" A true Minnesota Resorter till the very end~

Here are some pictures that Jeff (Laurie's man) took recently at the nursing home

Happy FIRST Birthday Grant!

I have been wanting/trying to post about Grant's birthday party for about a week now. His birthday was on the 14th and we had his party at the church on the 19th. He was so happy through the whole party. He didn't have any interest in opening presents and at first he didn't really care about his cake....until he got a taste! He was very slow going and methodical in eating it, but he got more than his fair share!

A family picture

We had to use a fork to give him a taste and

then he picked up the fork with his teeth!

Happy guy...


...on a sugar high!


So now we have a 1 year old and a 2 year old! We're so happy to have 2 happy and healthy boys! Happy Birthday Grant!

Address for funeral home

West-Kjos Funeral Home 900 Summit Avenue Detroit Lake, MN 56501. 218-847-7279

Grandpa Sink

Nancy found this picture of Grandpa taken we think in the early 90s..We always knew he was ahead of his time with the sock hat,,,,we think its a nylon sock

I'm sorry, I'm so tired I forgot to say that the visitation is in Detroit Lakes at West-Kjos Funeral Home on Summit Ave. and the funeral is at Immanuel Lutheran Church out here by our house. (Mom and Dad's church)

plans for Daddy's funeral

The funeral plans for Len Grotnes are as follows: visitation 4:00-8:00 Thurs. May 1 with prayer/sharing at 7:00 ~ Funeral Fri. May 2, 11:00am ~ Burial to be determined as weather permits (likely mid to late May because of the snow on the ground now, and the moisture- saturated ground from all the recent snowstorms.) We are grateful for all the words of comfort and everyone's prayers at this time. Thank you so much. We are so very happy for anyone who can come, and yet certainly it is not expected. We hope your plans and your travel goes well and safely. There will be beds and food for all; don't worry about that! Love to you all, ~ tamie

Going to Minn

garry and i are renting a van to go to Minn for the furneal.I know that garry,nancy,cal,lois,bennie,maryann,Kent and going for sure trying to get a 15 pass van so their should b e room for a few more to go....please let garry or me know asap so we can make plans

Len Anderson Grotnes

Our beloved husband, Daddy, Grandpa and Great-Grandpa has gone today to live with His Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ...met at the gates, I'm sure, by our sweet Selah. Daddy died at about 12:30-1:00pm in his chair in the nursing home soon after they had served him his lunch. The nurse went back to check on him, but he looked like he had fallen peacefully asleep, and he wasn't breathing. Please keep us in prayer-we are so happy that he did not suffer terribly at the end but life without him is going to be so hard. thank you.

Does anyone have any idea how we could send 1 foot of snow to Orlando, FL?? I think Uncle Richard would be happy to see a little moisture at his house. I'm thinking that it would melt a lot faster than it will here and everyone would be happy. ;)

you won't believe it.

snow, snow, go away...never come back another day. Yep, you heard right. we are getting our 3rd crazy spring blizzard. I have not ever seen a year like this one, that's for sure. We are all tired of it and crabby. My greening grass is getting a white blanket at the moment. cars all over in the ditch upside down, down towards mom and dad's so I am staying put. we were going to go and see dad, but not with this weather. they say we could get another foot of snow! WHAT!? Well, so much for another drought year, hopefully. Hope you all are doing well and enjoying better weather! love, sara

i am back!

They finally let me back on the blog today! I don't know why i keep getting kicked off. Weird. Anyway, I had fun just now catching up on all the news. Ben and Mary Ann, love the last tan picture of you two. You are one FINE lookin' couple! I am happily jealous for you! I can't wait for you to get to Minnesota so we can enjoy some good non-stop belly laughs around the campfire! Caleb and Bennie, please read my comment that i left you back on that post that you guys are discussing who is right and who is wrong. Tam and Steve, glad to have you home soon...(here already?) All you birthday people and anniversary couples... ...congratulations!

The kids and I have been pretty sick for the past 2-3 weeks. missed a week of work with sick kids and then i think i had pneumonia again...bronchitis for sure, but i just took my stash of antibiotics rather than go to the doctor myself and get diagnosed. When you are a nurse and you go to the doctor you are made to feel like a hypocondriac, then if you don't go in and you get REALLY sick, they say "why do you neglect your own health?", when you finally DO go to the doctor! you just can't win, can you? The good news is that we are feeling better and Ethan is done with his prednisone and no more nebs needed. YAY! It's a scarey thing when your kid can't breathe right.

We have 7 baby kitties that the kids are keeping busy with. Baby kittens everywhere. They will go to the petshop in 3 weeks or so. That is a good deal for us. We borrowed our best dog, Sunny out to mom for awhile since she is feeling alone with Dad being gone for so long. When I told Emma that sunny was staying with grandma for awhile, she bawled and bawled. She thought i had given her away! We will get her back this weekend, i suppose. We will go down to see dad and everyone else. But get this...THEY ARE FORECASTING SNOW FOR THIS WEEKEND!!!! AGAIN!!!! WHAT!!!??? I am getting rather depressed about the whole snow thing. It's the weirdest winter i have ever seen. I think i will take Rick up on his condominium on Sunset Lane he had rented out already this winter. Is it still available? Have the original owners returned yet? Did you get those other wild people out of there that trashed the place and ran a meth lab in the garage? I bet they'll never suspect a thing.

Nancy...regarding the jeans in particular...how many pairs of jeans did we leave there? Which brand are they and what size? do they have holes in the knees? If they are the ones i am hoping they are, i will have you send them. otherwise, they can wait until bennie comes.

well, that's all i can think of for now.
if anyone wants to write dad, he will get mail at St. Mary's Care Center
1027 Lincoln Ave.
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-8214-his line.
we love and miss and miss you all. -Sara and the children

Happy Birthday Missy!

Happy Birthday Missy - I hope you have a wonderful day!

Just like a woman...

Flag Pole

Engineers

Bubba and Ray ( Minnesota civil engineers) were standing at the base of a flagpole,looking up.

A woman walked by and asked what they were doing.

We're supposed to find the height of the flagpole,' said Bubba, 'but we don't have a ladder.'

The woman took a wrench from her purse, loosened a few bolts, and laid the pole down. Then she took a tape measure from her pocket, took a measurement, announced, 'Eighteen feet, six inches,' and walked away.


Ray shook his head and laughed. 'Ain't that just like a woman! We ask for the height and she gives us the length!'


(Bubba and Junior are currently supervising the reconstruction of the I-35 Bridge.)

We made it to Chattanoota

Not sure i spelled the town right but we made good time and with gods speed we should be home tomorrow

Happy (6 year) Anniversary Carl and Stephanie :)

I just wanted to wish you two a happy day! I hope you had a great day celebrating your marriage and your family!!

Orlando

Hi everyone! I'm sitting here in Uncle Richard and Aunt Lois's Orlando home soaking in the last day of Florida; looking at their garden and all the beautiful flowers and trees...i'm committing it all to memory so i can look forward to the same thing in Minnesota...6 weeks from now. Steve is getting more education while i am out having a good time - (hopefully he is too!) I met Richard and Lois at their church this morning...Richard gave good directions so i didn't get lost... then we have a nice meal at Perkins and went home to visit while my poor husband slaves away...yes, this is the life! We head home to MN tomorrow, get home at 10:00-11:00pm hopefully and then back to work on Tues. It's been a great trip!

Our Final and Last Post from Florida for 2008

We had a wonderful time and want to thank God for letting us enjoy our first winter of retirement in sunny florida

none

sara
i have jeans longunderwear and briefs that belomg to Ethan, should i send them or give to bennie when he comes up that is if he ever comes home is getting nice here bennie my wheel barrow needs you real bad made 160 gallon of syrup still cleaning up
take care everyone
nancy

Attention Tamie

A coat on in Florida???? I wore a jeans jacket yesterday in Detroit Lakes. Guess you took the cold weather with you.

Your Dad seemed good yesterday. Still coughing.

Love, Mother N.J.

ALIEN INVADE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

Had a really great day at ksc then went to Ron Jon in cocoa beach then had dinner at capt jacks

r

Happy Birthday to Melissa Sink!

We all know how much Melissa loves to be the center of attention! So I just had to make sure that everyone knew today was her 29th birthday! hehe
Have a great day Melissa!

Attention our northern family

something strange with the weather down here has happened since a certain couple landed here this weekend...checking the weather in DL it is warmer there then here....could their be a connection with our weather and this couple..Hum Hum

Just Setting the Record Straight

Since I heard there was a picture floating around dogging me I thought I would post something to set the record straight. When we landed at the Tampa airport I sent Bennie a text saying we were in Florida. I told him our day off, and that on that day off I had to take the team to a Spring Training game. He replied, well maybe we can still do dinner or something. I said sure, and that was that. I never heard anything back from that old man, and then he puts a picture up saying that I never called. Last time I checked I didn't have a car to jump in and go meet them, they did. Who is to blame here? Will somebody agree with me?

BIG DAY AT JETTY PARK

Not only got to see an atlas 5 launch but a sub came into port,,,could not identify what country it was from...someone said it was foreign

Minnesota News

We had another blast of winter last Friday, with another 6 to 8 ins of snow. I stayed in town about 3 blocks from Len at friends. Thought I could walk over if the streets got to heavy with snow and drifts. He hadnt been feeling very good. Got a cold from the workers, that so many had, and was short of breath when he laid down at night. They have been giving him oxygen at night, so he sleeps and breaths better. He is still on the antibiotics every 8 hours and will be for another two to three weeks. The ulcer is getting smaller and doing some healing. He felt better yesterday (Sunday) and had a twinkle in his eyes again. He eats really well and complains about them giving him to much good food.

Steve had to plow snow again Fri and Sat. He sure is hoping that he wont have to plow again.
WE should be doing cabin work, but still closed in with all the snow. They are telling us it will be close to 70 degrees by the end of the week !!!!

Sara's were all sick this past week with fevers, cold and coughing. She took them to the Dr. and had to take Ethan to the Bagley hospital Sat. night for some help. He needs special meds. for his coughing. I hope they all get well this week.

Jensen's are off to Florida today. They will really appreciate the warm weather.

We are looking forward to warmer weather to end this long, long winter. Everyone is SICK of winter, cold and snow up here.

Greetings to everyone : Sorry that I forgot your Birthday Lois Ann. Hope it was good.

Here we go again!

Well Steve didn't go to work today because the clinic was closed due to another snowstorm...I'd say this one has given us 6-8 inches. I had the day off anyway since we have just hired another secretary and she will work 2 days/week. Florida is looking awful good...we are excited to be warm and see sun & flowers!

I think we are going to luck out

Just found out that there is a atlas-5 communication satellite launch this sat at 4:oo pm should get a good show right where the rv sets

STEVE DUG US OUT OF THE SNOWSTORM !!

Tamie was telling the truth; we really got hit hard on Sat. night and Sun. l6 to 20 ins. of heavy wet snow. Tamie was alone and I was alone all day on Sun. and we couldnt get to each other. I sort of had "CABIN FEVER" !!! oH well, spring will be here soon, maybe. Fishing opening is only 5 weeks away and we cant even get down to the cabins. Maybe we wont even clean the cabins this spring. Guess we will wait for Bennie to do that when he comes!! We have some of the Snyders (Joe) coming from Indiana in early May, so hope the lake is free of ice by then.

Steve spent all day yesterday plowing snow. It was such heavy wet snow, it was difficult for him to get rid of it. There was no school in the area. There was two feet of snow between Park Rapids and Bemidji and Three feet over by Duluth. Hope this is the end of the snow for this season.

Len is in the care home with the diabetic ulcer on the foot again. Its been five yrs since the last time. He has a pic line with antibiotics every 8 hours. He is having trouble retaining to much fluid, and has gotten a cold since there and is doing some coughing now. A week ago on the week end Sara came home and she got her Dad into the hospital for two units of blood. He has been some anemic also.

We are glad that Doyle is home again. Hope that he is feeling good and doing good !!

Thank you all again for the wonderful time that we had over Eastertime. It was good to get home again.

Love, Norma Jean

ATTENTION!!! ATTENTION!!!!--____TAMIEI

I feel you would read this before your email so yes we would love to do something like the Kennedy thing with you'all...just give us a call on 260-466-8786 or 260-466-8128 we are flexible so i know we can work something out....bennie

SNOWSTORM WITH A CAPITAL "S" - we're outa here!!

Well here we are in beautiful northern Minnesota, ready for Christmas! Just when we had visions of gardening dancing in our heads, we got socked with about 20 inches of white stuff. Steve Grotnes just came and plowed me out; Steve Jensen spent the weekend in the cities at a continuning ed course and with Melody and family totally oblivious to the storm!

We are getting our revenge next Mon. when we fly to Orlando to check out the sun, and Steve has more continuing ed. (how much more of this a P.T. needs, i don't know but i think he should continue to get it in places like Hawaii, FL, California, etc. Maybe Europe...and i just go along...for quality control purposes and to make sure the accomodations are condusive to excellent memory retention.)

Anyway now that i'm plowed out i better get to work. As Steve's secretary i need to contact people to tell them he won't be in today. I'm thinking the 45 min. drive will be a little over an hour today.

OH! Bennie and Mary Ann, we will be in Daytona on April 16 & 17...we plan to go to the Kennedy Space Center and a national seashore beach, and are open to suggestions.....any chance of meeting for dinner one night?

love to all
tamie

oh i forgot to tell you that i would have posted this yesterday but we have satelite internet and the snow was coming down so thick that there was no service. I lifted my window washing pole to the dish up there on the roof this morning and brushed off the snow so now we're good to go. ...i just wanted to let you all know that because i need all the pity you can dish out! I don't know why we're in love with this land--you summer visitors understand us crazy Minnesotans a bit....

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Today is Lois Ann's birthday! She and Grandpa came over to Mom and Dad's for lunch and spent the afternoon with all of us. Good times!
Happy Birthday Grandma!!

Port Canaveral

Lois and Cal,,,we are in Jetty Maritime Park, North of Cocoa beach I'm pretty sure you guys have been here it where the cruise ships leave from and their is a navy base and you can see the launch pads at cape canaveral....It has changed alot from what i remember the last time i was here...we are staying here for two weeks then we are coming home...

Guess who Marissa and I are having breakfast with in Fort Lauderdale

She wanted to drink his milk but i stopped her

Tax Checks!

God bless tax refunds! God bless our additional tax write off this year! hahaha It is so nice to get a little bonus and be able to pay off some debt! We are now completely debt free (well if you don't count cars or the house!) - what a wonderful feeling!!!

Last nine weeks!! =)

Dont cut down the tree!!! PLEASE!!! =)

>>Me Steph and Kara!

we just started the last nine weeks of the school year...and MY LAST EVER!! (of high school anyways!) but last week was good I started my new job up at Summit Dental group! i absolutely LOVE it there! the people there are so nice..and i get more hours! i am still currently working at the hardware..but who knows how long that will last?! i will probably just end up finding a different job for the weekends if I end up going full time at the Dentist office this summer.

Last weekend i went to the MFE conference for FFA. It was a big leadership conference for the chapters of Indiana. It was a blast! it was really worth the money...i learned a lot through their speakers!! It was a big eye opener for me and i hope that i can take what they taught us and apply it more often!! it was a great experience and it went by too fast! like everything else does! but now that MFE Tralfager (?) Indiana Spring Break 2008 is officially over..i have to start hitting the books and getting all my final things for graduation together and working my two jobs!! fun fun!!

well i better get some reading done! i will talk to everyone later!

<3>

May 6th Indiana Primary

Hello all! Not too much going on here in Muncie, however today I finally finished organizing the data for my thesis (about 150 pages) - woo hoo! I feel like I'm finally on the home stretch. Just wanted to remind all of the Indiana people that the voter registration deadline for the May 6th primary is Monday, April 7th.

TTFN-
Jamie

Now in Fort Lauderdale

Cant believe we have been down here this long but we are heading home soon we are now in fort lauderdale with chris and rick and girls for the rest of this week than we are going to jetty park for another two weeks then headed north,,,bennie

Hey Everybody we finally arrived home around noon on Sunday March 30. We have been trying to recuperate since then. As far as Kevin calling, he didn't leave a message and I don't have his number and I don't answer numbers I don't know. So we were unaware that he was calling. We missed everyone while we were gone and are looking forward to seeing everyone. We stopped at Doug and Mona's when we got home, Adam and I slept while Madalyn entertain grandma and grandpa. She was so wound up once we got back, probably because she was stuck in a car seat for so long. We dropped off Chloe with her dad, since he hadn't seen her for awhile.

Long trip to Florida will make trip to Gulf shores seem like a piece of cake. The kids did ok coming home. Chloe did better coming home than going, but Madalyn had a harder time on the way home. Probably because she was more tired after vacation.

Madalyn ended up not being a big fan of the beach. She doesn't like to get dirty and she was afraid of the waves coming up to shore. Chloe however loved it.

Well, that is all for now. Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Bodies - The Exhibition

This weekend I saw one of the coolest things I have ever experienced: Bodies - The Exhibition in Cincinnati. Some of you may have heard of, or even seen this yourselves. But for those that haven't, it is something you should seriously consider! It is an exhibit of REAL HUMAN bodies that have been dissected, if you will, to varying degrees to expose muscles, tendons, organs and bones and then preserved just as they are so you can see how everything is connected and their relationships to one another. There are also cases of individual parts - organs, bones, blood vessels, nerves - with more details about what they do and how they interact with the rest of the body. It is so neat to see how things are actually positioned, where they are, how big (or small!) they really are. What really struck me going through was how anyone could believe that all of the intricacies of the amazing human body could happen by "accident", without the hand of God. It is so detailed!
I was a little leary of it at first, knowing that these were real bodies, but once you start really looking and learning, it just blows you away. And since I am taking Physiology right now (having not yet had Anatomy), it was really neat to put things together that I had only seen as individual 2-D pictures in a textbook. There was a lot of info, and by the end it was a little overwhelming, because it does take you through all the systems of the body and provide a lot of details. There is also some controversy around the way the bodies were obtained (as "unclaimed" bodies from a Chinese government-owned medical facility), and you can find more about that on the web. The exhibit is in Cincinnati until September 1 and the link for more information is http://www.bodiestheexhibition.com/bodies.html.