Deaths of Two Great-Grandparents & Uncle Danny ~ My Mother's 88th Birthday

Dear Finn & Hazel,

I'm sorry that this post is so late...most of the events are in chronological order.

Things haven't been going very well. My sweet kitty cat, Holly, left this earth on Aug. 5, 2020. She had just turned 17 on May 5th, and then she went downhill fast. Losing Holly took a lot out of me...I miss her so much. 

After being gone for exactly nine years, I moved back to Santa Cruz in Dec. 2020. (I left to move into my "Cabin in the Woods" in Dec. 2011.) No matter what the reason is for moving, it is a very stressful thing indeed. There are lots of memories in this city by the sea...

I hope you both are doing okay with distance learning. It must be hard not  being able to see your teachers in person, and I'm sure you miss your school friends. It's probably not easy on your parents either. I think about you often, remember I love you both with all my heart.

My beloved father, David Darrell Meacham passed away on Dec. 4, 2020. He was Lacie & Rebecca's Grandfather, and your Great-Grandfather. My Dad was 88 years old: Sept. 8, 1932 ~ Dec. 4, 2020  He will live on in my heart forever. I wrote about him when he turned 80...see below.

Less than two months later, his brother, Daniel Mark Meacham, died too, on Jan. 24, 2021. Danny was ten years younger than my Dad, (78) and he was his only sibling. There is a photo of my Uncle Danny when he was much younger on the post I wrote about my Dad. Nov. 30, 1942 ~ Jan. 24, 2021

May they both rest in peace...they are with their parents now. (my Grand-parents) Click on the link below:

http://grammalynnfinngershenson.blogspot.com/2012/09/great-grampa-david-d-meacham-turns-80.html 

Photo of my parents on their wedding day, June 18, 1955. They just had their 65th wedding anniversary last June. (this was one of the three milestones in June 2020)

Photo of me, with my parents by my side, at my 8th Grade Graduation from McKinley Junior High School.

I also wrote about my Mom, your Great-Grandmother Phyllis Meacham, when I turned 58...which shows more photos of our family. Her 88th birthday is today, "Happy Birthday Mommy, I love you!" Click on the link below:

http://grammalynnfinngershenson.blogspot.com/2014/11/on-my-birthday-in-honor-of-my-mother_26.html

On Jan. 24, 2021 Marcella Mae Salminen-Roth-Grangruth passed away. Marcy was my mother-in-law when I was married to Lacie & Rebecca's father, Micheal Roth. She was Lacie & Rebecca's paternal Grandmother, and your Great-Grandmother. She was 83 years old.

I wrote about your paternal Great-Grandfather Arvid Roth in 2014 when he passed away, and there are some photos of the Roth side of the family for you to see. Click on the link below: 

http://grammalynnfinngershenson.blogspot.com/2014/03/rest-in-peace-whitey-roth.html

Below is a more detailed account of Marcy's life, with a video tribute that shows lots of pictures, including Lacie as a baby, and of your Grampa Mike Roth. Lacie's name is spelled wrong in the obituary, but both of your names are spelled right.

Marcella Mae Grangruth of Menahga, Minnesota 

May 5, 1937 - January 24, 2021

"Marcella was born in Wadena county on May 5, 1937 to Otto and Eva Salminen and peacefully entered Heavens gates on January 24, 2021. Marcella went to Menahga High School, from there she went up to the Iron Range and worked for Cluett and Peabody Company for a few years. She returned to Menahga and met Arvid Roth, from Park Rapids. They were married on December 17, 1955 and were blessed with 5 children: Michael, Patricia, Debra, Pamela, and Timothy. They lived in Sioux City, Iowa for a short time and then moved to Sepulveda, California for a couple of years. They eventually moved back to Minnesota and lived in Circle Pines for 14 years. After her marriage ended with Arvid, Marcella returned to Menahga. She met Armas Grangruth and the were married in 1972. After 14 years of marriage Armas lost his battle with cancer. Marcella lived alone in Menahga until she was called home to be with Jesus. 

She was preceded in death by her father, Otto and her mother, Eva Salminen, her brother, Verdie Salminen, grandchildren, Cassidy Tools, Jesse Roth, Brandon Nunemaker and her nephew Christopher Salminen. 

She will be lovingly remembered by her children; Michael (Kay), Patricia (James), Debra (Bruce), Pamela (Butch) and Timothy (Laura); 9 grandchildren; Eric Wirkkala, Jessica Wirkkala, Bryanna Pellizzer, Dalton Ellis, Kayleigh Ellis, Lacey Gershenson, Rebecca Roth, Brooke Doheman, and Shawn Roth; 12 great-grandchildren; Samantha Olson, Emily Olson, Adrian Lampkin-Wirkkala, Victoria Wirkkala-Landeros, Emiliya Pellizzer, Sebastian Pellizzer, Genesis Mae Ellis, Finn Gershensen, Hazel Gershensen, Cameron Doheman, and Bailey Doheman; and 2 great-great grandchildren; Jesse Roth, Ava Lynn Keiser, 4 nieces and nephews; Wade (Alicia) Salminen., Virgil Salminen, Melissa (Dave) Hallberg, and Cynthia (Vasilios) Maroulas. 

Funeral services are set for 11 AM Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at the First English Lutheran Church of Menahga with Reverend James Hallaway officiating. Visitation will begin at the church one hour prior. Interment will be made in the Alajoki Cemetery north of Menahga. The casket bearers will be nephews and friends." 

To leave online condolences, or to view the video tribute at the end, please visit:

http://www.cardinipearson.com/obituary/marcella-grangruth

All my Love, 

~ Gramma Lynn

Me & my Daddy