Clifford Gronlund

Clifford "Cliff" Gronlund, age 96, of Sebeka, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at Vitality Living in Sebeka on June 30, 2026. Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 11:00am at Grace Lutheran Church in Sebeka, with visitation beginning at 9:30am. Burial will follow at Grace Lutheran Cemetery in Sebeka. Acting pallbearers will be grandsons Timothy Hulm, Joshua DeBoer, Travis DeBoer, Dylan Gronlund, Jacob Malone, and great grandson Alex Hulm. He will be laid to rest at the Grace Lutheran Cemetery west of Sebeka.

Clifford Oscar Gronlund was born December 19, 1929, the 4th child of William and Hilda (Komppa) Gronlund of Sebeka. He grew up on a farm a few miles northeast of town and was raised with a strong work ethic by working side by side with his 8 siblings.

In the fall of 1948 Clifford and his brother Walter began farming on their own east of Sebeka. Cliff met Rose Pelzman from Oriska ND in June of 1952 and on March 1, 1953 they were married at Grace Lutheran Church in Sebeka. At that time Walter moved off the farm and Cliff and Rose made it their home where they raised their 4 children: Joyce, Susan, Richard, and Karen. While they milked cows and raised crops Cliff also did custom farm work for neighbors and friends.

In March of 1960 Cliff and Rose purchased the lumber yard in town and Sebeka Lumber Sales became his livelihood for the next 34 years. There were many evening and weekend road trips where the family would deliver materials to building sites. The kids never minded because there was always a Dairy Queen treat involved for the ride home, more at Cliff’s insistence than the kids.

In 1994 Cliff sold the business to his son, Richard, and semi-retired. They had already moved off the farm and into Sebeka where they had built their dream home. Cliff would still help out at the lumber yard by making deliveries, watching the counter, painting doors, and making picnic tables. In 1993 Cliff and Rose became snowbirds and spent the next 25 years enjoying warm winter weather in Phoenix AZ.

Cliff was a lifetime member of Grace Lutheran Church in Sebeka where he was baptized, confirmed, and acted as council member, financial secretary, and usher. He was a member of the Sebeka Lions and through the years served countless pancakes and mowed many cemeteries. He served 3 terms on the Sebeka School Board where he had the honor of presenting 3 of his 4 children with their high school diplomas. He was Meadow Township Clerk for many years, always hosting the meeting at his home where Rose would serve delicious desserts. Cliff was also a member of various lumbermans associations which provided an opportunity for the couple to travel to conventions throughout the United States. He enjoyed deer hunting in the fall and fishing with his brother Arne in the summer. He was also a skilled woodsman, crafting grandfather clocks for his wife and children, assorted bookshelves, toys for the grandchildren, and many other items as requested.

Cliff is survived by Rose, his wife of 73 years, and his children: Joyce (Darrel) Hulm of Strasburg, ND; Susan (Dan) DeBoer of Corsica, SD; Richard (Brenda) Gronlund of Sebeka; and Karen Malone of Sebeka; and their families including 8 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his sister Mary Rising of Shoreview, brother Leslie (Alice Jean) of Sebeka; sister-in-law Beverly, brother-in-law Marc Burns, sister-in-law Marie Pelzman and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Clifford was preceded in death by his parents, William and Hilda; 6 siblings and their spouses: Walter (Ruth), Elma (Don) Stavros, Arne (Edna), Elmer, Irene Burns, Lila (Roger) Ristine; and brother-in-law David Rising.

In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to the Parkinson’s Foundation, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, or the Minnesota Lions Vision Foundation.

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