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Grace Josephine Elmstrand, age 83, of North Branch, died Nov. 20, 2003, at Birchwood Health Care, in Forest Lake, Minn.

Grace was born July 13, 1920, to Emil and Tena (Johnson) Elmstrand, in Brimson, Minn. She attended school in Embarrass, Minn., and graduated in 1939. Feb. 27, 1961, she married Gordon Elmstrand, in North Branch. Grace worked as a waitress, homemaker, golf course manager, Justice of the Peace, State Hospital employee and for the railroad in Two Harbors during WWII. Grace enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, crafts, quilting and writing poetry.

Grace is preceded in death by her parents; five brothers: Chester, Carl, Lawrence (Bud), John Henry, and Howard; two sisters: Agnes Elmstrand and Marie Nelson; infant daughter, Donna Mae; two sons-in-law, Richard (Dick) Fisk and Jon Bistodeau.

Grace is survived by husband, Gordon; children: Shirley Erickson Fisk, Phyllis Erickson Hammers, Dorean Erickson Bewely, Suzanne Johnson Elmstrand Bistodeau and Loren Johnson Elmstrand; grandchildren serving as casketbearers: Ginger (Fisk) Amundson, Sheila (Fisk) Bauer, Cory Fisk, Jeremy Fisk, Jean (Erickson) Kriz, Brian Erickson, Jody (Hammers) Parker, Heidi Hammers, Aaron Hammers, Jesse Bewely, Jill Bewely, Chad Bistodeau, Rossi Bistodeau; 16 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Funeral services were Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2003, at Trinity Lutheran Church, in North Branch, with Rev. Loren Mellum officiating. Interment in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, in North Branch.

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