Pete Gronli

life story

In Loving Memory of Pete

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.

Pete Gronli (06/04/1960 - 03/28/2025)

Peter Jonas Gronli (Pete) died peacefully on Friday March 28, 2025 as the result of a stroke from which he never regained consciousness.

Pete was the fourth of five children, born in Devils Lake, ND just a year before his family moved to Harlowton, MT. He was always good natured and well-liked by friends and neighbors. After completing kindergarten in Harlo, he moved with his family to Shelby, MT.

He spent most of his school years in Shelby. One of his fond memories was that his mom was his student teacher in the 4th grade. Pete’s first job, following in his siblings' footsteps, was a paper route. Then, as a teenager, he began work as a salesman in a high-end men's clothing store. He had a very good personality for this work and had a natural talent for sales.

When Pete was 15, the family moved again, this time to Minnesota, where he graduated from high school. At that time, he worked in sales at Dayton’s, and subsequently became employed in a flooring, tile and window treatment business. He later continued his education at Golden Valley Lutheran College.

Most of his career was spent employed by ECM Publishers, where he helped coordinate the delivery and distribution of print media. He married Linda Norman, and the two of them worked together as a team in this business for many years, residing in rural Buffalo, MN. Pete and Linda were both very devoted parents to their daughter, Mikaila. They loved to host holiday gatherings at their home, events which are fondly remembered by extended family members. With a change of employment circumstances, he worked in Washington and California for several years before returning to Minnesota near his retirement.

Pete’s recent years were spent living in rural Litchfield, MN, where he spent quality time with his daughter, Mikaila. He enjoyed living on the lake and watching the sunsets. He also was able to devote more time to being at the much-loved family cabin in Montana, organizing and supervising projects there.

Pete had a quick wit, a wry sense of humor, and a good head for business. He was a kind, gentle, and good person who will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his daughter, Mikaila Norman; his mother Jeanne Gronli; his siblings Cheryl Mundt, Deb Hokanson and Daniel Gronli; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his late wife Linda Norman, his father John V. Gronli, and his brother Tim Gronli. Blessed be Pete’s memory.