Claire L. Gray, 85, of Rochester, MN died peacefully Thursday, February 28, 2013 at his home surrounded by family. He was born May 25, 1927 in Buffalo County, WI; son of Tillier and Hattie (Gunderson) Gray Sr. He graduated from Gilmanton High School in 1945. Following high school he attended the Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, MN.
On July 23, 1949, he married Lucille E. Larson at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Strum, WI.
Claire worked several jobs, including Matson Saw Mill, hauling milk for Unity Co-op and Osseo Creamery, Ellifson Trucking, before starting his own Carpentry Construction business. In 1972 they moved to Rochester, MN. Together, Claire and Lucille owned and operated the Behnken Guest House Apartments in Rochester, MN. They also managed the White Swan Motel and Elm's Guest House. Claire worked at Rochester Community College and managed the Rochester Towers. He retired in 1991.
Claire enjoyed playing cards, dice games, horseshoes, bowling, numerous craft projects, woodwork and embroidering. He also enjoyed traveling to Florida, California and Branson, Missouri, going up north to the cabin, relaxing with Lucille and their company on their front porch, playing the guitar and singing with his brothers, dining out, spending time with family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Lucille of Rochester, MN; children, Katherine Rosenthal of Strum, WI, Daniel (Rosie) Gray of Osseo, WI, Bruce (Linda) Gray of Eau Claire, WI, Vickie (Howard) TePoel of Rochester, MN and Sue (Rick) Hyde also of Rochester, MN; 12 grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 2 step-great-grandchildren; brother, Duane (Sandy) Gray; sister-in-law, Vera Gray; brother-in-law, Joe Halama; sister-in- law, Marion Dahl. He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Delores Crowell; brothers, Francis Gray, Ivan Gray and Tillier Gray, Jr.; grandson, Joel Gray, son-in-law, Robert Rosenthal; mother and father -in-law, Palmer and Helma Larson; and many brothers/sisters-in-law.
Funeral Services will be 11:00 am Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Kjentvet-Smith Funeral Home in Mondovi, WI with Pastor Terry Lorenz officiating. Burial will be at the St. Paul Cemetery in Strum, WI. Friends may call Wednesday from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to services at the funeral home on Thursday. To express on-line condolences go to www.kjentvet-smithfuneralhome.com.
On July 23, 1949, he married Lucille E. Larson at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Strum, WI.
Claire worked several jobs, including Matson Saw Mill, hauling milk for Unity Co-op and Osseo Creamery, Ellifson Trucking, before starting his own Carpentry Construction business. In 1972 they moved to Rochester, MN. Together, Claire and Lucille owned and operated the Behnken Guest House Apartments in Rochester, MN. They also managed the White Swan Motel and Elm's Guest House. Claire worked at Rochester Community College and managed the Rochester Towers. He retired in 1991.
Claire enjoyed playing cards, dice games, horseshoes, bowling, numerous craft projects, woodwork and embroidering. He also enjoyed traveling to Florida, California and Branson, Missouri, going up north to the cabin, relaxing with Lucille and their company on their front porch, playing the guitar and singing with his brothers, dining out, spending time with family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Lucille of Rochester, MN; children, Katherine Rosenthal of Strum, WI, Daniel (Rosie) Gray of Osseo, WI, Bruce (Linda) Gray of Eau Claire, WI, Vickie (Howard) TePoel of Rochester, MN and Sue (Rick) Hyde also of Rochester, MN; 12 grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 2 step-great-grandchildren; brother, Duane (Sandy) Gray; sister-in-law, Vera Gray; brother-in-law, Joe Halama; sister-in- law, Marion Dahl. He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Delores Crowell; brothers, Francis Gray, Ivan Gray and Tillier Gray, Jr.; grandson, Joel Gray, son-in-law, Robert Rosenthal; mother and father -in-law, Palmer and Helma Larson; and many brothers/sisters-in-law.
Funeral Services will be 11:00 am Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Kjentvet-Smith Funeral Home in Mondovi, WI with Pastor Terry Lorenz officiating. Burial will be at the St. Paul Cemetery in Strum, WI. Friends may call Wednesday from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to services at the funeral home on Thursday. To express on-line condolences go to www.kjentvet-smithfuneralhome.com.
Claire L. Gray, 85, of Rochester, MN died peacefully Thursday, February 28, 2013 at his home surrounded by family. He was born May 25, 1927 in Buffalo County, WI; son of Tillier and Hattie (Gunderson) Gray Sr. He graduated from Gilmanton High School in 1945. Following high school he attended the Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, MN.
On July 23, 1949, he married Lucille E. Larson at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Strum, WI.
Claire worked several jobs, including Matson Saw Mill, hauling milk for Unity Co-op and Osseo Creamery, Ellifson Trucking, before starting his own Carpentry Construction business. In 1972 they moved to Rochester, MN. Together, Claire and Lucille owned and operated the Behnken Guest House Apartments in Rochester, MN. They also managed the White Swan Motel and Elm's Guest House. Claire worked at Rochester Community College and managed the Rochester Towers. He retired in 1991.
Claire enjoyed playing cards, dice games, horseshoes, bowling, numerous craft projects, woodwork and embroidering. He also enjoyed traveling to Florida, California and Branson, Missouri, going up north to the cabin, relaxing with Lucille and their company on their front porch, playing the guitar and singing with his brothers, dining out, spending time with family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Lucille of Rochester, MN; children, Katherine Rosenthal of Strum, WI, Daniel (Rosie) Gray of Osseo, WI, Bruce (Linda) Gray of Eau Claire, WI, Vickie (Howard) TePoel of Rochester, MN and Sue (Rick) Hyde also of Rochester, MN; 12 grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 2 step-great-grandchildren; brother, Duane (Sandy) Gray; sister-in-law, Vera Gray; brother-in-law, Joe Halama; sister-in- law, Marion Dahl. He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Delores Crowell; brothers, Francis Gray, Ivan Gray and Tillier Gray, Jr.; grandson, Joel Gray, son-in-law, Robert Rosenthal; mother and father -in-law, Palmer and Helma Larson; and many brothers/sisters-in-law.
Funeral Services will be 11:00 am Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Kjentvet-Smith Funeral Home in Mondovi, WI with Pastor Terry Lorenz officiating. Burial will be at the St. Paul Cemetery in Strum, WI. Friends may call Wednesday from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to services at the funeral home on Thursday. To express on-line condolences go to www.kjentvet-smithfuneralhome.com.
On July 23, 1949, he married Lucille E. Larson at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Strum, WI.
Claire worked several jobs, including Matson Saw Mill, hauling milk for Unity Co-op and Osseo Creamery, Ellifson Trucking, before starting his own Carpentry Construction business. In 1972 they moved to Rochester, MN. Together, Claire and Lucille owned and operated the Behnken Guest House Apartments in Rochester, MN. They also managed the White Swan Motel and Elm's Guest House. Claire worked at Rochester Community College and managed the Rochester Towers. He retired in 1991.
Claire enjoyed playing cards, dice games, horseshoes, bowling, numerous craft projects, woodwork and embroidering. He also enjoyed traveling to Florida, California and Branson, Missouri, going up north to the cabin, relaxing with Lucille and their company on their front porch, playing the guitar and singing with his brothers, dining out, spending time with family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Lucille of Rochester, MN; children, Katherine Rosenthal of Strum, WI, Daniel (Rosie) Gray of Osseo, WI, Bruce (Linda) Gray of Eau Claire, WI, Vickie (Howard) TePoel of Rochester, MN and Sue (Rick) Hyde also of Rochester, MN; 12 grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 2 step-great-grandchildren; brother, Duane (Sandy) Gray; sister-in-law, Vera Gray; brother-in-law, Joe Halama; sister-in- law, Marion Dahl. He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Delores Crowell; brothers, Francis Gray, Ivan Gray and Tillier Gray, Jr.; grandson, Joel Gray, son-in-law, Robert Rosenthal; mother and father -in-law, Palmer and Helma Larson; and many brothers/sisters-in-law.
Funeral Services will be 11:00 am Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Kjentvet-Smith Funeral Home in Mondovi, WI with Pastor Terry Lorenz officiating. Burial will be at the St. Paul Cemetery in Strum, WI. Friends may call Wednesday from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to services at the funeral home on Thursday. To express on-line condolences go to www.kjentvet-smithfuneralhome.com.
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