Obituary of Willie Granholm

Willie Peter Granholm was born on the family farm in Athens Township, Isanti County, July 27, 1917 to Peter and Augusta Granholm. He died at his home January 15, 2010 at the age of 92 years, 5 months, and 16 days. He was baptized at Faith Lutheran Church in Isanti and attended School District # 9 in rural Isanti County. After school he stayed home and farmed with his father and upon his father's death in1934 he took over the farm. He often talked of his younger days. His father and family usually talked Swedish and Willie even spoke a little in recent years. He also enjoyed working with horses. He kept a picture of his favorite team, from the 1930's, in his kitchen where he could see it anytime. He spoke of the many miles he walked behind horses up and down the fields which certainly contributed to his longevity. His favorite pastime was dancing to old time music, first one on the floor and the last to sit down. It was at a dance he met Virginia Hultgren, his perfect dance partner. They were married January 1962. Virginia had been widowed so Willie also married a new family, 2 daughters and 1 son and to this union one son was born, Peter William. They farmed east of Cambridge until retirement in 1982. He enjoyed traveling and visiting family and friends throughout the USA. He enjoyed fishing, bowling on a weekly league, and most of all loved being with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren., He was preceded in death by his wife Virginia and son Bruce Hultgren. son-in-law Joseph Blahnik. His parents, Peter and Augusta, his brothers Freeman, Floyd, Frances and Sherman Granholm, sisters Fran Hoover and Gladys Anderson. He is survived by one son, Peter Granholm; two daughters, Sharon and son-in-law Jim Olund and Ruth Blahnik. Five grandchildren; Tamara Olund, Cynthia Scherer (Jeff), Tracy Singer (Curtis), Shane Blahnik, and Joel (Erin) Blahnik. Also by 8 great-grandchildren; Joshua and Hayden Scherer, Matthew and Halee Singer, Levi and Ethan Blahnik and Connor and Logan Blahnik and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Willie will be missed every day, his smile and bright eyes with a little bit of mischief always there. His love of life and his compassion and caring heart will not be there with us, but will forever be in our hearts and minds. We will miss him but never forget him. And one day we will see him again. Until then, "we love you."