Earl Alvin Grave

2022, at his winter home in Mission, Texas.

Earl was born November 18, 1925, in Grace Township, Minnesota to Chester and Helen Grave.

Earl grew up on a farm in Wayzata, MN, and was a primary helper with farming, animals, and

trapping. He was an avid storyteller about his experiences of his life on the farm.

Serving in the Marine Corps beginning at age 18 and fighting in WWII from 1944 to 1946,

specifically on Iwo Jima. He never talked about his experiences until late in life. Telling his story

brought back many tough memories of losing close friends during the fighting across Iwo Jima.

It was during this time that Earl's strong faith got stronger. He told himself that if he made it out

alive, he'd be a humble servant, which he put into practice the rest of his days.

Earl married Pearl Lorentzen on October 7th, 1950, in a double ceremony with Earl’s brother,

Dale and Pearl’s cousin, Marian. Later, Earl and Pearl adopted Paul and Carol, and Earl has said

many times, “this was the best thing Pearl and I ever did.”

Earl trained as a plumber and worked for many companies over the years. He often talked of the

work that he did on the University of Minnesota Health Sciences Buildings in the 1970s. He also

built all his own homes as well as remodeled many. Pearl and Earl built a home on his childhood

farm property in Wayzata, Minnesota, where they raised their two children, Paul and Carol.

In 1964, Earl's father-in-law, Arthur Lorentzen, offered a Lake Koronis lot to him. Earl built his

cabin in 1964 and his brother-in-law, Harold Lorentzen, built on the next lot in 1965. Other

family members owned places on the lake and many fun times were had every summer. Earl and

Pearl retired at age 62, built an addition to their cabin to make it a year-round home.

Earl was a craftsman and built many things over the years, including a pontoon boat with a

diving deck. It was a one of a kind and for many years could be seen anchored on the lake with

family swimming, diving, and jumping off of the diving deck.

Earl was an avid hunter and fisherman. Often his hunting trips included his son, brothers and

nephews and these experiences provided endless topics for his storytelling.

Earl was also an avid golfer. He golfed in three leagues at Koronis Hills into his 90s.

A storyteller extraordinaire, Earl had an endless supply of true stories that he would happily

share around the kitchen table, the bonfire at the lake, at bedtime, or anywhere there was a

willing listener.

Earl lived his priorities throughout his life: God, Family, and Country. He was active for many

years at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wayzata, MN and later at Nordland Lutheran Church in

rural Paynesville, MN. He loved his family and would do anything for them. He loved his

Country, giving his best as a Marine in World War II, staying updated on all political issues and

proudly flying the flag in front of his home.

Earl is survived by his loving wife, Pearl, of 71 years, children, Paul Grave of Eden Valley, MN,

Carol (Mark) Lorentz of White Bear Lake, grandchildren, Andrew (Holly) Grave of Crystal,

Christine Lorentz of White Bear Lake, great grandchildren, Asher, Micah, and Caleb Grave of

Crystal, MN; sister-in-law Barb Grave, brother-in-law Ronald (Patricia) Lorentzen, sister-in-law

Muriel Lorentzen; numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Dale Grave and Glenn Grave, sister, Evelyn

Andrews, sister-in-law, Marian Grave; brother-in-law, Harold Lorentzen; sisters-in-law and

husbands Verna (Fred) Storest, Violet (Richard) Larson.

To say that Earl was an inspiration to family and friends would be an understatement. He will be

missed by those of us lucky enough to have known him. We will miss him greatly.

Arrangements are made with Dignity Memorial, Del Angel of Mission, Texas.

A Texas memorial service was at Golf View Estates in Mission, Texas, on Saturday, February

26th.

A celebration of life ceremony in Minnesota will take place at a later date, later to be determined.