GRACE C. DRONEN

GRACE C. DRONEN Grace Caroline Dronen was 93 when she died on April 4, 2015 at Luther Memorial Home, Mayville, ND. Grace was born December 10, 1921 in Golden Lake Township in Steele County, ND. Her family farmed and she attended Township school #4. Grace was the 2nd to youngest of 11 children born to her parents, Erick and Ragnele ('Gurine' Bjergo) Brager, Grace lost her mom at age 7. She began sewing clothes for her nieces and helped with cleaning and cooking for her neighbors. She married Irving Anderson on December 22, 1943, where she helped with the cattle, raised chickens for eggs and butchering, and gardened. Together they raised four children. They sold the farm and moved into Finley, ND in 1974 where she continued working at restaurants, doing home care for the county, and painting and papering in homes. She also managed the Golden Lake Store for two summers in the early 1970’s. Grace loved flower gardening, sewing and quilting. Irving passed away in 1987. Grace married Elvin Dronen of Finley on May 31, 1989 in Reno, Nevada . They enjoyed many activities together. They moved to the Assisted Living facility In Mayville in October of 2006 and then to Luther Memorial home in June of 2008 where Elvin passed that fall. Grace continued quilting and crocheting until a couple of years ago when it became too difficult. She crocheted many baby blankets for grandchildren, and later sewed quilts when they married. Grace was hardworking, a talented seamstress, had great concern and care for her children and grandkids to the end, and had a kind heart for those who were in need. She is survived by four children: Joel and Linda (Good), Finley, ND; Bonnie (Frank) Mesick, Greenburg, PA, Cheryl Chase and Jim Kottmeier of Grinell, IA, Gayle (Mylo) Bakken, Bismarck, ND; 8 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild; two stepsons, Elwood (Mary) Dronen, West Fargo and Ron (Kate) Dronen, Reno, NV along with their families. In addition she has 8 nieces and nephews and 2 cousins. Grace was preceded in death by her siblings: Clara, Alice, Emil, Gladys, George, Geneva, Adolph, Orville, Ted and Elmer. The family is so grateful to the staff at Luther Memorial Home, as they have lovingly cared for 'Gracie' for nearly 7 years. The family prefers memorials be given to Luther Memorial Home or Ostervold Lutheran Church. "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10 A Memorial Service will be held, Monday, April 6, 2015 at 2:00 pm in the Ostervold Lutheran Church, rural Finley, ND.