Grace Marie Ohlrogge

Grace Marie Ohlrogge, age 96, of Zumbrota, passed gently from this world on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at the Zumbrota Health Services in Zumbrota. Our much-loved mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother, was born on September 18, 1916 in rural Zumbrota to Edward and Louise Schliep and remained a lifelong Zumbrota resident. Following high school graduation she attended Winona State Teachers College, earning a degree in elementary education and lifetime certification to teach in Minnesota schools. She taught elementary school in Myrtle, Minnesota until she met John Ohlrogge, who was then a young immigrant watchmaker establishing his business on Zumbrota's Main Street. They decided to marry, they told us, when Grace won a car at a county fair lottery with a ticket that John had bought but given to her because he had to work that night. Rather than fighting over who was the rightful owner, they married on June 29, 1941 and took their honeymoon trip in that car. Working together they built Ohlrogge's Jewelry into a thriving business for 43 years and became deeply woven into the fabric of the community, sponsoring yearbooks, homecomings, band concerts, Christmas events, the Chamber of Commerce, their church, and many other things.

Grace was a teacher, an optimist, a constant encourager, a hard worker, a soft heart, a supper-clubber, a bowler, a golfer, a raspberry picker, a canner, a baker, a Sunday School teacher, a collector of jewelry, spoons, plates, Hummels, scarves and handkerchiefs, a Ladies Aider, a worldwide traveler, a wonderful mother and a good friend to many. And she was festive - always looking to add a creative touch of decoration and celebration to each holiday, event, outing or everyday day, to make it more enjoyable or a bit of a surprise. She'd start buying Christmas presents in April and make Christmas cookies in October, began planning Fourth of July picnics in May, began searching out new places to hide Easter baskets on Ash Wednesday, and made lefsa to serve with escargot and oysters as side dishes for Thanksgiving dinners. Her idiosyncrasies were well-known to those who knew her well. She wouldn't eat chicken (she said she'd cleaned too many of them growing up on a farm) but liked chicken livers. She hated snobs but would readily denounce anyone she thought was lazy or cheap. She understood spoken German but couldn't speak it. She didn't drink much but loved a good Manhattan. She detested dishonesty but would cheat at golf. Keeping up appearances was important to her but she took pride in winning the prize for craziest outfit on Crazy Daze. She loved humor and music but couldn't tell a joke or carry a tune. And although she had high expectations of people she would loyally defend her family and friends and forever forgive their lapses.

Grace is survived by her sons, Kendel (Cynthia) of Minneapolis, Dr. Dennis (Sarah) of Onalaska, WI; grandchildren, Emily Balogh, Julia Ohlrogge and Erik Ohlrogge; and great-grandson, Julian Ohlrogge Barnett.

Grace was preceded in death by her parents; husband John; and brother, Edmund Schliep.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 29, 2012 at Christ Lutheran Church, 223 East 5th Street, Zumbrota, with Pastor Wayne Schoch officiating. Burial will be in the Zumbrota Cemetery. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church.

The family wishes to express its great appreciation to the Zumbrota community and all of Grace's relatives and friends who added so much to the happiness and fulfillment of her long and happy life.

---

Visitation

SEP 29. 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (CDT)

Christ Lutheran Church
223 East Fifth Street
Zumbrota, MN

Service

SEP 29. 2:00 PM (CDT)

Christ Lutheran Church
223 East Fifth Street
Zumbrota, MN