Theodore "Ted" James Grishaber, 76, died on July 3, 2021, after a very long chronic illness. He was born on November 8, 1944 to Ella Louise Christensen and Theodore James Christensen in Chicago, Illinois. Ted grew up in Michigan with his Gram (whom he absolutely adored). Ted eventually joined the Navy to—well, to get the hell out of Michigan.
Ted trained in the Navy as an electronics technician (ET) and served on both ship and shore, bringing his career to a close from the USS Constellation (the "Connie") out of San Diego. He achieved the enlisted rank of E-7 (for land-lubbing non-nautical folk, that's a Chief Petty Officer). Ted was a proud Navy Veteran, serving his country and his fellow shipmates well. Superiors and subordinates alike deeply respected him for his tenacity, integrity, and grit. Ted was a "let's figure out how we can make it work" kind of sailor.
When serving at Great Lakes Naval Training Center as an instructor, he met and fell head over heels for his second wife, Diana "Dee" Louise Lovelace, and it wasn't long before the two were inseparable. They enjoyed camping, rock-climbing, bowling, and of all things, Dungeons and Dragons fantasy gaming. They were bonkers for the Renaissance Festival in Shakopee, and they often wore costumes to visit the fair (Dee wore the dress). They also enjoyed an occasional night out at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, where they saw "I do, I do" about 800 times.
After the Navy, Ted worked with the U. S. Postal Service as an electronics technician, helping to maintain their massive, complicated sorting equipment. Ever wonder how in the heck a letter gets from point A to point B since the Pony Express? Ted was one of the thousands of folks making sure that happens on a routine basis.
You know, life is sometimes difficult. It gets complicated. Being married isn't always roses. Ted's first marriage ended in divorce. Ted and Dee also divorced, only to learn they were better together. Beyond the vows of marriage, they had started as friends, and that was so important to them. They chose to marry again and remained so until death did them part.
On a serious note, Ted was a recovering alcoholic. He knew how drinking had affected his life, his first marriage, and his son. He carried his regrets like a warrior and did the best he could with the bed he had made. Losing Dee mercilessly tested his sanity and his resolve. True to form, Ted may not always have remained sane, but he always remained sober. He kept a bottle of the finest scotch next to Dee's urn, right in the living room, to remind him of the haunting that awaited should he so much as touch a single drop. It's a certain thing that Dee kept him sober those years between her death and his. No doubt his faith in God helped too, but mostly, we're pretty sure it was Dee. Ted just knew where his limit was with her.
On that note, one should know these important things about Ted:
• He once bowled a perfect 300 game, quite by accident (he was a good bowler, but not a world-class one).
• Ted's beverage of choice when he quit alcohol was coffee. Lord, did that man know how to roast a good cup o' joe.
• When it came to friends and enemies, he preferred the former.
• He was a lovable guy. A stubborn one, too. Damn. SO stubborn.
• To a fault, this man fueled himself on 100 percent stubbornness.
• Ted was as true a friend as a friend can be.
He believed that "loving your neighbor as yourself" was a virtue, and he did his best to live that way. His next-door neighbors, Luis and Carol, were a godsend during his deepest moments of despair. They exercised their love and concern for Ted in the kindest of ways, including caring for him in their home during his final days of life. There is no greater love than this.
Ted's mistakes (like each of us makes, there were many) and life lessons were a heavy burden to him, in more ways than one can imagine. If he hurt you, just know he regretted it. Ted's last hope was that if he did hurt you, you will find your way to forgiveness in a way that softens the pain he caused.
Ted is survived by his brother, Gary, his son, Ted, Jr., his best friend Becca, and all the rest of us on the planet.
(Contributed by sister-in-law, Val Lovelace)
Ted trained in the Navy as an electronics technician (ET) and served on both ship and shore, bringing his career to a close from the USS Constellation (the "Connie") out of San Diego. He achieved the enlisted rank of E-7 (for land-lubbing non-nautical folk, that's a Chief Petty Officer). Ted was a proud Navy Veteran, serving his country and his fellow shipmates well. Superiors and subordinates alike deeply respected him for his tenacity, integrity, and grit. Ted was a "let's figure out how we can make it work" kind of sailor.
When serving at Great Lakes Naval Training Center as an instructor, he met and fell head over heels for his second wife, Diana "Dee" Louise Lovelace, and it wasn't long before the two were inseparable. They enjoyed camping, rock-climbing, bowling, and of all things, Dungeons and Dragons fantasy gaming. They were bonkers for the Renaissance Festival in Shakopee, and they often wore costumes to visit the fair (Dee wore the dress). They also enjoyed an occasional night out at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, where they saw "I do, I do" about 800 times.
After the Navy, Ted worked with the U. S. Postal Service as an electronics technician, helping to maintain their massive, complicated sorting equipment. Ever wonder how in the heck a letter gets from point A to point B since the Pony Express? Ted was one of the thousands of folks making sure that happens on a routine basis.
You know, life is sometimes difficult. It gets complicated. Being married isn't always roses. Ted's first marriage ended in divorce. Ted and Dee also divorced, only to learn they were better together. Beyond the vows of marriage, they had started as friends, and that was so important to them. They chose to marry again and remained so until death did them part.
On a serious note, Ted was a recovering alcoholic. He knew how drinking had affected his life, his first marriage, and his son. He carried his regrets like a warrior and did the best he could with the bed he had made. Losing Dee mercilessly tested his sanity and his resolve. True to form, Ted may not always have remained sane, but he always remained sober. He kept a bottle of the finest scotch next to Dee's urn, right in the living room, to remind him of the haunting that awaited should he so much as touch a single drop. It's a certain thing that Dee kept him sober those years between her death and his. No doubt his faith in God helped too, but mostly, we're pretty sure it was Dee. Ted just knew where his limit was with her.
On that note, one should know these important things about Ted:
• He once bowled a perfect 300 game, quite by accident (he was a good bowler, but not a world-class one).
• Ted's beverage of choice when he quit alcohol was coffee. Lord, did that man know how to roast a good cup o' joe.
• When it came to friends and enemies, he preferred the former.
• He was a lovable guy. A stubborn one, too. Damn. SO stubborn.
• To a fault, this man fueled himself on 100 percent stubbornness.
• Ted was as true a friend as a friend can be.
He believed that "loving your neighbor as yourself" was a virtue, and he did his best to live that way. His next-door neighbors, Luis and Carol, were a godsend during his deepest moments of despair. They exercised their love and concern for Ted in the kindest of ways, including caring for him in their home during his final days of life. There is no greater love than this.
Ted's mistakes (like each of us makes, there were many) and life lessons were a heavy burden to him, in more ways than one can imagine. If he hurt you, just know he regretted it. Ted's last hope was that if he did hurt you, you will find your way to forgiveness in a way that softens the pain he caused.
Ted is survived by his brother, Gary, his son, Ted, Jr., his best friend Becca, and all the rest of us on the planet.
(Contributed by sister-in-law, Val Lovelace)
Theodore "Ted" James Grishaber, 76, died on July 3, 2021, after a very long chronic illness. He was born on November 8, 1944 to Ella Louise Christensen and Theodore James Christensen in Chicago, Illinois. Ted grew up in Michigan with his Gram (whom he absolutely adored). Ted eventually joined the Navy to—well, to get the hell out of Michigan.
Ted trained in the Navy as an electronics technician (ET) and served on both ship and shore, bringing his career to a close from the USS Constellation (the "Connie") out of San Diego. He achieved the enlisted rank of E-7 (for land-lubbing non-nautical folk, that's a Chief Petty Officer). Ted was a proud Navy Veteran, serving his country and his fellow shipmates well. Superiors and subordinates alike deeply respected him for his tenacity, integrity, and grit. Ted was a "let's figure out how we can make it work" kind of sailor.
When serving at Great Lakes Naval Training Center as an instructor, he met and fell head over heels for his second wife, Diana "Dee" Louise Lovelace, and it wasn't long before the two were inseparable. They enjoyed camping, rock-climbing, bowling, and of all things, Dungeons and Dragons fantasy gaming. They were bonkers for the Renaissance Festival in Shakopee, and they often wore costumes to visit the fair (Dee wore the dress). They also enjoyed an occasional night out at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, where they saw "I do, I do" about 800 times.
After the Navy, Ted worked with the U. S. Postal Service as an electronics technician, helping to maintain their massive, complicated sorting equipment. Ever wonder how in the heck a letter gets from point A to point B since the Pony Express? Ted was one of the thousands of folks making sure that happens on a routine basis.
You know, life is sometimes difficult. It gets complicated. Being married isn't always roses. Ted's first marriage ended in divorce. Ted and Dee also divorced, only to learn they were better together. Beyond the vows of marriage, they had started as friends, and that was so important to them. They chose to marry again and remained so until death did them part.
On a serious note, Ted was a recovering alcoholic. He knew how drinking had affected his life, his first marriage, and his son. He carried his regrets like a warrior and did the best he could with the bed he had made. Losing Dee mercilessly tested his sanity and his resolve. True to form, Ted may not always have remained sane, but he always remained sober. He kept a bottle of the finest scotch next to Dee's urn, right in the living room, to remind him of the haunting that awaited should he so much as touch a single drop. It's a certain thing that Dee kept him sober those years between her death and his. No doubt his faith in God helped too, but mostly, we're pretty sure it was Dee. Ted just knew where his limit was with her.
On that note, one should know these important things about Ted:
• He once bowled a perfect 300 game, quite by accident (he was a good bowler, but not a world-class one).
• Ted's beverage of choice when he quit alcohol was coffee. Lord, did that man know how to roast a good cup o' joe.
• When it came to friends and enemies, he preferred the former.
• He was a lovable guy. A stubborn one, too. Damn. SO stubborn.
• To a fault, this man fueled himself on 100 percent stubbornness.
• Ted was as true a friend as a friend can be.
He believed that "loving your neighbor as yourself" was a virtue, and he did his best to live that way. His next-door neighbors, Luis and Carol, were a godsend during his deepest moments of despair. They exercised their love and concern for Ted in the kindest of ways, including caring for him in their home during his final days of life. There is no greater love than this.
Ted's mistakes (like each of us makes, there were many) and life lessons were a heavy burden to him, in more ways than one can imagine. If he hurt you, just know he regretted it. Ted's last hope was that if he did hurt you, you will find your way to forgiveness in a way that softens the pain he caused.
Ted is survived by his brother, Gary, his son, Ted, Jr., his best friend Becca, and all the rest of us on the planet.
(Contributed by sister-in-law, Val Lovelace)
Ted trained in the Navy as an electronics technician (ET) and served on both ship and shore, bringing his career to a close from the USS Constellation (the "Connie") out of San Diego. He achieved the enlisted rank of E-7 (for land-lubbing non-nautical folk, that's a Chief Petty Officer). Ted was a proud Navy Veteran, serving his country and his fellow shipmates well. Superiors and subordinates alike deeply respected him for his tenacity, integrity, and grit. Ted was a "let's figure out how we can make it work" kind of sailor.
When serving at Great Lakes Naval Training Center as an instructor, he met and fell head over heels for his second wife, Diana "Dee" Louise Lovelace, and it wasn't long before the two were inseparable. They enjoyed camping, rock-climbing, bowling, and of all things, Dungeons and Dragons fantasy gaming. They were bonkers for the Renaissance Festival in Shakopee, and they often wore costumes to visit the fair (Dee wore the dress). They also enjoyed an occasional night out at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, where they saw "I do, I do" about 800 times.
After the Navy, Ted worked with the U. S. Postal Service as an electronics technician, helping to maintain their massive, complicated sorting equipment. Ever wonder how in the heck a letter gets from point A to point B since the Pony Express? Ted was one of the thousands of folks making sure that happens on a routine basis.
You know, life is sometimes difficult. It gets complicated. Being married isn't always roses. Ted's first marriage ended in divorce. Ted and Dee also divorced, only to learn they were better together. Beyond the vows of marriage, they had started as friends, and that was so important to them. They chose to marry again and remained so until death did them part.
On a serious note, Ted was a recovering alcoholic. He knew how drinking had affected his life, his first marriage, and his son. He carried his regrets like a warrior and did the best he could with the bed he had made. Losing Dee mercilessly tested his sanity and his resolve. True to form, Ted may not always have remained sane, but he always remained sober. He kept a bottle of the finest scotch next to Dee's urn, right in the living room, to remind him of the haunting that awaited should he so much as touch a single drop. It's a certain thing that Dee kept him sober those years between her death and his. No doubt his faith in God helped too, but mostly, we're pretty sure it was Dee. Ted just knew where his limit was with her.
On that note, one should know these important things about Ted:
• He once bowled a perfect 300 game, quite by accident (he was a good bowler, but not a world-class one).
• Ted's beverage of choice when he quit alcohol was coffee. Lord, did that man know how to roast a good cup o' joe.
• When it came to friends and enemies, he preferred the former.
• He was a lovable guy. A stubborn one, too. Damn. SO stubborn.
• To a fault, this man fueled himself on 100 percent stubbornness.
• Ted was as true a friend as a friend can be.
He believed that "loving your neighbor as yourself" was a virtue, and he did his best to live that way. His next-door neighbors, Luis and Carol, were a godsend during his deepest moments of despair. They exercised their love and concern for Ted in the kindest of ways, including caring for him in their home during his final days of life. There is no greater love than this.
Ted's mistakes (like each of us makes, there were many) and life lessons were a heavy burden to him, in more ways than one can imagine. If he hurt you, just know he regretted it. Ted's last hope was that if he did hurt you, you will find your way to forgiveness in a way that softens the pain he caused.
Ted is survived by his brother, Gary, his son, Ted, Jr., his best friend Becca, and all the rest of us on the planet.
(Contributed by sister-in-law, Val Lovelace)
Gravesite Details
Interred at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery on Sep 7, 2021.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
