Isabelle Catherine (Meyer) Grunst, 92, of Sandy, OR passed away from natural causes at her home on February 26, 2012.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Michael Catholic Church on Thursday March 1, 2012 at 4:00 pm. Burial will follow on Friday at Roseburg Memorial Garden in Roseburg at 11:00 a.m.
Isabelle, or “Grandma G” as she was known by, was born November 21, 1919 in Pierz, MN to Nicholas J Meyer and Frances (Gassert) Meyer. In 3rd grade she moved with her parents and four sisters to La Pine, OR. There she began to learn English, as all that was spoken at home was her native language, German. She grew up helping her father run trap lines, logging with draft horses, cooking at Shevlin-Hixon logging camps, and working at the La Pine general store. While in high school she competed as a runner for track and field and cross-country, and was a star basketball player. She spoke often of how she grew up with long legs and used to “run like a deer…”
After graduating from La Pine, High School, Isabelle attended Pacific Beauty School in Portland, graduating with in 1938 with a degree in cosmetology. After graduation she had many a fine young suitor asking for her hand in marriage. In 1939 she selected among them the love of her life to marry – Clarence Otto Grunst. After marrying, they made their home in Bend, OR where she worked as a homemaker and where she gave birth to their first child, Ralph Nicholas Grunst. After several years in Bend the family moved to Portland, where she worked as a shipbuilder in the Portland docks supporting the war effort as a “Rosie the Riveter”. While in Portland she gave birth to their second son, Fred John Grunst. 1949 the family moved to Canyonville, OR where daughter Jean Marie Grunst was born. The family stayed in Canyonville for several years where she continued as a housewife and mother and later a business owner of a small motel in Canyonville. In 1978 her loving husband Clarence died. Isabelle then moved to Portland, in 1985 and then to Sandy, Or around 1990 where she lived until her death.
Isabelle was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 1996 and had a double mastectomy. She participated in Breast Cancer events as a survivor. She was an active member and one of the original founding families of The Myrtle Creek, Catholic Church. Isabelle enjoyed camping with her family. One of her greatest joys was being a Foster Grandparent Volunteer. Isabelle, “Grandma G” daily tutored in reading and giving encouragement to hundreds of Sandy, primary children at 5 of the local schools. Her hobbies were knitting, crocheting, and needle – point work.
Survivors include Sons Ralph (wife Jean) of Bend, Fred (wife Sharon) of Richland, WA daughter Jean Grunst (husband Ric Sward)of Sandy, Sister Leona Brander of Rapid City S.D. And Brother in Law Sam Mansfield, of Gresham. Isabelle was preceded in death by her husband Clarence Grunst, and three of her sisters.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Sandy Public Library. These donations will be used for the purchase of children’s books to continue the legacy of Grandma G’s commitment to literacy and continuing education of children. Grandma G’s family asks that you read a book to a child in lieu of donations or flowers. Burial is at the Roseburg Memorial Gardens in Roseburg Oregon.