The funeral service for Brenda A. Grabau, 59, of rural New Richland, MN will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 30 at LeSueur River Lutheran Church in New Richland Township with Rev. Paul Meierding officiating. Mrs. Grabau passed away Sunday, Nov. 27 from complications of cancer, at her home surrounded by her loving family.
Brenda Ann Bleifus was born Aug. 4, 1952 in Rochester, MN to Clarence and Frances (Braksilek) Bleifus. She grew up and went to school in Stewartville and attended Stewartville High School. Brenda was married on August 26, 1972 at Zion Lutheran Church in Stewartville to Alan R. Grabau. Following their marriage the couple lived in Georgia and Arizona while Al served in the U.S. Army. After his discharge they moved to Rochester, MN briefly, before moving to Ostrander, MN in 1975, where they lived for a number of years. Al and Brenda were both employed at Rongar's Appliance in Spring Valley, MN and in 1980 they purchased the business and location. Together they owned and operated Al’s T.V. and Appliance in Spring Valley for 19 years, selling their business in 1999. They moved to St. Olaf Lake in rural New Richland where they have continued to make their home. Brenda was employed in accounting at Mediacom in Waseca, MN until her retirement in 2005. Al is self-employed as a Dish Network retailer and installer. Brenda was a past member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ostrander and was a current member of the LeSueur River Lutheran Church in rural New Richland. She enjoyed fishing, rides on the pontoon, following NASCAR and Minnesota Boys and Girls High School basketball and March Madness college basketball. She loved time spent with her lake neighbors and friends and family, especially her grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband Al; her two daughters and son Alisa (Greg) Baumann of Plymouth, MN, Amanda of St. Paul, MN and Jakin of Plymouth, MN; four grandchildren Alex, Olivia, Konnor and Amelia; one sister and two brothers Richard (Marian) Greene of Hastings, MN, Sharon (Ed) Wellik of Stewartville, Steve (Sharon) Bleifus of Stewartville; and sister-in-law Betty Bleifus of Simpson, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Charles “Tony” Bleifus.
Friends may call from 4 – 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 27 at Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday morning. A private family burial will take place at a later date. The address for the LeSueur River Lutheran Church is 16650 250th Ave. New Richland, MN.
Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. www.griffin-gray.com