Grace Trandem

Grace Trandem, age 94, of Mentor, MN, passed away on Friday (May 21st) at Riverview Care Center in Crookston, MN. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday (May 26th) at Rodnes Lutheran Church, rural Erskine, with the Rev. Peter Satren officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Tuesday (May 25th) at Faith Lutheran Church in Mentor. There will also be reviewal for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at Rodnes Lutheran Church. Arrangements are with the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Erskine. The family requests memorials to be given to Faith Lutheran Church in Mentor or the Rodnes Lutheran Church in rural Erskine.Mrs. Trandem was born on November 11, 1915 to her late parents Otto Henry and Clara (Larsen) Camp in the town of Dugdale, Tilden Township, Polk County, Minnesota, where she lived with her parents, 4 brothers and 5 sisters. Her parents operated a general mercantile store in Dugdale, a café in St. Hilaire and a creamery in Mentor, Minnesota. On September 4, 1937 in Mentor, Minnesota, Grace was united in marriage to Melvin Trandem. They first made their home in western Woodside Township, then, in 1942 Grace and Melvin purchased and moved to the August Strand farm near Maple Lake where they lived for 45 years. During that time they farmed, sold eggs and operated a small dairy and raised 3 girls: Marlys (Harry) Manole, Yvonne (Chris) Christopherson and Ruth (Roger) Clifton. Grace and Melvin were locally known for their friendly and gracious hospitality towards neighbors, friends and family. When visitors arrived they would always put the coffee on to share while visiting around the large round wooden kitchen table. Together they faithfully attended Rodnes Lutheran Church in rural Erskine where Melvin's grandfather was one of the founding members. After retiring, they moved to a home they purchased in Mentor. Sadly, Melvin passed away on July 1, 1988 after 50 years of marriage. Grace later attended Faith Lutheran Church in Mentor until becoming ill and making her home in Riverview Care Center, Crookston, Minnesota.Survivors include her three daughters Marlys (Harry) Manole, Yvonne (Chris) Christopherson and Ruth (Roger) Clifton, 6 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. Numerous nephews and nieces.She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Trandem, 5 sisters and four brothers.Honorary Pallbearers will be the Mentor Café Coffee Club.Active Pallbearers will be Merle Solie, Gary Moran, Sheldon Trandem, Dennis Mieke, Scott Trandem and Don Simonson, Sr.