Darrald Grenier

Darrald Paul Grenier was born June 1, 1930 in Rolette , ND, the son of Simeon and Clara (Casavant) Grenier. He grew up in Rolette, ND where he graduated from Rolla high school. Darrald furthered his education at North Dakota State University in Fargo where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering. Darrald also learned to farm on the family home farm. On July 2, 1953 Darrald was united in marriage to Alice Garrison in Devils Lake, ND. The couple was blessed with five children. Darrald moved to the Twin Cities where he began working for Ford Motor Company. He also worked for MTS Systems Corporation. In 1972 Darrald became self-employed and moved to Alexandria, MN. He tried several new ventures including ownership of Diamond Jim?s in Nelson, MN and World of Arts & Crafts at Viking Plaza. In 1975 he owned a Hardware Hank store in Fergus Falls for about three years before moving to Nelson, MN where he purchased a farm. In 1984 Darrald and Alice moved to Ft. Myers, FL where they managed an apartment complex. In the mid 1990?s the couple moved to Missoula, MT to work for their son, Kevin. After Alice passed away in December 1999, Darrald moved to Aberdeen, SD to be with his son, Corey. He returned to the Alexandria area in 2003 where re retired and remained a resident. Darrald enjoyed all kinds of hunting including pheasant grouse, deer, duck and moose. He loved going boating and snowmobiling, especially at Yellowstone. Darrald played all sorts of card games including pinochle and cribbage. He especially enjoyed playing with his friends while living at Windmill Ponds. Throughout his life he put his engineering skills to use. He was always finding ways to improve something or build something innovative. On Saturday, May 24, 2014 Darrald died at the age of eighty-three years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Grenier; one daughter, Shelly Drussell; two brothers, Harvey and Theodore Grenier; and three sisters, Lucille Hart, Dorine Stephens and Velma Millang. Darrald is survived by his sons, Corey Grenier of Aberdeen, SD and Kevin Grenier and wife, Mary, of Anchorage, AK; daughters, Deena Steffl and husband, Jim, of Alexandria and Denise Grenier of Western, NE; grandchildren, Michelle Johnson, Christine Andersen, Jocelyn Presley, Garrett Grenier, Katie Drussell, Levi Drussell, Brett Grenier, Ryan Grenier, Jenna Steffl and Jack Steffl; great grandchildren, Mali, Madeline, Logan, Isabelle, Noah, Oliver, Quinn, Alayna and JeiLyn; and one brother, Orville Grenier of Rolette, ND. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at the Church of St. Mary in Alexandria. Reverend Father Steve Binsfeld was the celebrant. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery at Rolette. Honorary pallbearers included all of Darrald?s grandchildren. Arrangements were with Anderson Funeral Home.