Geraldine ''Gerri" Gray

A Mass of Christian Burial for Geraldine Griffin Gray, 97, a lifelong Stewartville, MN resident, will be at 11:00 AM on Friday (October 27, 2023) at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Stewartville with Rev. Kevin Connolly officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Mrs. Gray died on Friday (October 20, 2023) of natural causes at her home.

Geraldine Marie Griffin was born on October 15, 1926, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN, the second of three daughters to Patrick and Margaret Tharalson Griffin. She attended school in Stewartville, graduating from Stewartville HS in 1944.  She attended the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul and returned to Stewartville as a kindergarten teacher in 1947. On June 12, 1948, Gerri married Lawrence (Larry) Gray at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. Larry and Gerri worked side-by-side in the family businesses throughout their marriage, celebrating their 73rd anniversary in 2021.

Gerri stood as Larry’s true partner in their long active lives together as parents, businesspeople, parishioners and community members. Centered first in her role as a wife and mother, Gerri will be remembered, loved and respected by her children and grandchildren. She was also recognized in her community as a gifted homemaker and hostess. Together, she and Larry created a beautiful home and garden which they loved to share with family and friends. Gerri was also an active and respected member of the Stewartville business community, working as a buyer, interior designer, and salesperson at Griffin Furniture from 1960-1978. And for more than 60 years, her artistic and organizational skills were an essential part of the services offered by the Griffin-Gray Funeral Home.

Gerri was a  lifelong devoted and involved member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. In addition to her faithful attendance, she taught catechism, served on the parish council and with the commitee to build the new church.  She volunteered at the Stewartville Care Center and with Friends of the Library and was a member of the Monday Study Club. Again, working together, Larry and Gerri participated in a wide array of community projects, including Meals on Wheels, the reissue of the Stewartville Story, city beautification, and many local events and celebrations.

Gerri is survived by four daughters and three sons—Nora (Eric) Garland of La Crosse, Kevin (Susan) Gray of Stewartville, Mary Gray of Rochester, Christopher (Diane) Gray of Stewartville, Brian (Lynn) Gray of Forest Lake, Bridget Hermans of Stewartville, and Megan (Dan) Burick of Salt Lake City. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, Katherine (Shannon) Martin and Michael Steele; Kate (Arie) Kroeger-Gray and Karin Gray; Noah Gray; Cecelia, George, and Henry Gray; Hannah (Jake) Chambers and Lilli (Matt) Carlson; Connor, Olivia, and Rosemary Hermans; Emma and Tess Burick; and great-grandchildren Cora Martin, Frances Jagodzinske, Theo and Isla Chambers, and Violet and Maclan Carlson; and brother-in-law, Virgil (Lars) Loken of Sacramento, CA and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Larry on September 19, 2021, her parents and 2 sisters – Jean Oliver and Patricia Loken.

A time of visitation for family and friends will take place from 2 to 7 PM on Thursday (October 26, 2023) at Griffin-Gray Funeral Home and 1 hour prior to the service at the church in Stewartville on Friday morning. Gerri’s family suggests memorials to St. Bernard’s Catholic Church or the Center for Active Adults in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Gerri are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com

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