Marian L. Gronquist, age 89 of Montreal, WI, died on Thursday, July 16, 2009 at Beaver Dam Community Hospital after a short illness.
Marian was born in Galesburg, IL on February 10, 1920 to J. Richard and Mildred Marie (nee Anderson) Lindroth. Marian married Pastor Carl Henning Alfred Gronquist on June 19, 1941, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Galesburg, IL, where she had been a long time member. Carl preceded her in death on January 24, 1982.

Marian graduated from Galesburg High School in 1937 and from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL in 1941 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Latin. She taught in Crooks, SD, Starbuck, MN, Pepin and Hurley, WI. Marian and Carl served parishes in Ludlow and Sheffield, PA, Pittsburgh, PA, Crooks, SD, New London and Spicer, MN, Stockholm, WI and Wakefield, MI. She shared her many talents with these parishes and her current church, Zion Evangelical Lutheran, playing organ and piano, accompanying the choirs, leading groups and committees at the synod and national level. Her strong faith and service to her church and community have been an inspiration to all she met.
Marian was a dedicated mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by her loving children, Janet L. (Leo) Novak, Spicer, MN, Marian E. (Larry) Krueger of Beaver Dam, Carl Richard (Barb) Gronquist Sr. of Pepin, WI, Joanne M. (Tom) Allen of Bismarck, ND, and Ruth (John Burr) Gronquist of Fairbanks, AK. Marian is also survived by 13 adoring grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, her brother, John (Eleanor) Lindroth of Bellevue, WA, a sister, Mildred Ann (Len) Swedlund of Barneveld, WI, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A Funeral Service for Marian will be held at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ironwood, MI on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Francis Strong officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. at the Church. Burial will take place on Friday, July 24, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Sabyland Lutheran Cemetery in Stockholm, WI with Rev. Sue Odegard officiating. Memorials may be directed to Zion Ev. Lutheran Church in Ironwood.

The children of Marian would like to express their appreciation to all the family and friends for their prayers, love and support and to the caring medical teams and nursing staff at Mayo Clinic and St. Mary's, Methodist and Beaver Dam Community Hospital.

Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Beaver Dam and Range Funeral Service of Ironwood and Hurley are honored to be serving the family.