And More Grandparents Stories

Warren Lundeen’s three granddaughters each shared some words about their grandpa.

Mallory Lundeen says: “I feel fortunate that visits to Grandpa’s house have been a regular part of my 26 years. I always look forward to his hugs (‘How ya doin’, pal?), fitness checks (‘flex your muscles … yep, still in good shape’), inquiries about future plans (‘When are you getting your next degree?’), Sunday evening meals (meatloaf, pork chops or split pea soup with a side of salad), pontoon rides (always counterclockwise along the Pike Lake shoreline), and entertaining stories — although not always entirely true. (He will be the first to tell you ‘Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.’) Grandpa has played a special role in my life. He was my pen pal during my four years living in Arizona. He continues to be my coach and cheerleader, and he will always be my role model. Grandpa, here’s to many more years with you in my life! After all, you have at least nine more to get your face on a Smuckers jar!”

Delaney Lundeen shares: “Ever since I can remember, my grandpa Warren has saved me a seat next to him at church. He lives out his life true to his Christian values. I am so blessed that he has encouraged my faith in the Lord, while modeling the way for me. I can better love the Lord through my grandpa’s love for me. Throughout high school, my grandpa was at every one of my soccer and basketball games, cheering me on. I get my competitive spirit from him. In the summer, I spend every second I can with my grandpa at his house on the lake, soaking up the Minnesota sun, pontooning, gardening, watching the hummingbirds or sharing lunch and laughter. Family dinners at my grandpa’s are always the best. My grandpa is the funniest man I have ever met — he is always joking around. He lives a life of love, he is so giving of his time and energy, and one can’t help but smile when they are around him. My grandpa and I love to work out together at the fitness center and share a bowl of soup together afterward. His candy jar (and fruit bowl) are always stocked full for when we visit. Even though I live in St. Louis now, we write handwritten letters back and forth. It always makes my day when I find a letter from him in my mailbox! My grandpa is quite simply the best, and I am so lucky to have him in my life!”

Abby Lundeen writes: “One of my favorite places to be is on my Grandpa Warren’s knee listening to his stories that range anywhere from his service in the Navy to the time he hit a golf ball all the way across Pike Lake! At 20 years old myself, one would think my grandpa would be out of stories. Not even close. However, this could be due to the fact one of his many life mottos is, ‘Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.’ True or not, we always share a smile and good laugh. Growing up, my grandpa was always at my basketball games, front row, sporting Proctor green, unless of course we were playing his alma mater, Denfeld, then he would be decked out in maroon and gold, but cheering for the green team. Summers were and still are spent cruising on the pontoon around the lake, grilling diner and enjoying each other’s company. As a kid, this was the location of my birthday party every year. My grandpa would let me invite 25 of my closest friends over to swim and celebrate. Now living in St. Joseph, Minn., I look forward to coming home and sharing a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios and a dish of fruit with my grandpa before going to Pike Lake Presbyterian Church just up the road. I walk in the door greeting him with a ‘Hey Gramps!’ to be greeted back with a warm, loving smile and big hug. Grandpa Warren is hands down the best grandpa, and I am one of his 11 lucky grandchildren. I can’t wait for the day I reach on my grandpa’s shelf to grab a jar of Smuckers jelly for my toast, only to find his smiling face on the jar celebrating his 100-year milestone.”

My cousins and I are blessed to have had the most wonderful grandparents. We were all able to have close relationships with them, which allowed them to teach us important life lessons. Grandma and Grandpa Plunkett taught us lessons such as our work ethic, the importance of education and family and the joy of growing up on a farm. All of us fondly remember picking rocks from the fields in the early spring and getting to take turns driving the tractor. This was hard work, and we were rewarded when we were done by getting to sit at the kitchen table and enjoy Grandma’s treats and watch Grandpa write us out our paychecks. Our favorite things to do with Grandma meant doing crafts, baking, berry-picking, rummage sale-ing and playing Yahtzee. Going to tractor shows, to Sundown for coffee, or making the trip to Lulich’s to pick up parts were other big events we looked forward to with our grandparents. Grandpa had a delightful sense of humor, especially when it came to teasing Grandma and his grandchildren. He’d often tell us that he only took a bath once a year, whether he needed it or not — making it that much more difficult for our parents to get us to bathe regularly.

Even though we lost Grandpa on Sept. 9, 2012, his funeral reminded us that the greatest gift he and Grandma have given us is our family. As we came together to honor an honorable man and his wife of 66 years, we could see the love and friendships of neighbors, great-aunts and uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. His great-grandson said, “He wasn’t only my grandpa, he was my best friend.” My cousins and I would all agree that our grandparents truly are the best friends and family anyone could ask for.

Submitted by Andrea Moreau of Superior

My grandma, Lorraine Dahlgren, is, hands down, the single most amazing person ever. She has always been there for me. She has taught me what unconditional love is. She often tells me that I make her proud, but I am the one who is proud. My grandma Lorraine is a strong soul who has lived a life worthy of a novel. I am who am I because of her. There will never be enough ways for me to tell my grandma how much she means to me. She has always been my best friend, from day one until the end of time. Grandma, I love you sooo much!

Jenny Lorraine Martin of Duluth

Our grandparents, Chuck and Nance Pace of Moose Lake, are the best grandparents ever, because for Christmas they took the whole family to Jamaica, and we also celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Also in the winter months we go visit them in Texas every year. They take us to South Padre Island and Mexico. We have lots of fun enjoying the heat while it’s freezing back at in Minnesota.

Our grandparents are No. 1! We love you Grammie and Papa.

Love, Amanda and Logan

Submitted by Amanda, 11, and Logan, 9, Speldrick of Inver Grove Heights, Minn.

When we were little we spent all kinds of time with our grandparents, Marlen and Kay Perttula of Esko. As we’ve grown older, we might not spend as much time, but it’s still as meaningful. We’ll never take for granted the handwritten letters we’ve received at college, the home-cooked meals no one could top, the handmade furniture that will never be duplicated or the conversation and advice we couldn’t find anywhere else.

Submitted by Holly, Ashley, Megan and Elsa of Esko.

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