Laura Aleta Grove

Laura Aleta Grove, 92, of Larimore, North Dakota, formerly of Egeland, North Dakota, died peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, April 16 at the Larimore Good Samaritan Home. Aleta, as she was known by for her entire life, was born March 23, 1921 to Walter and Gladys (Sather) Forney in the house in Egeland where she resided most of her life. She attended Egeland Grade School and Egeland High School, graduating as salutatorian in 1939. After graduation, she attended Minot State Teacher's College, where she received her standard teaching degree, and taught elementary school in Starkweather, North Dakota. On June 19, 1943, she married her high school sweetheart, Bland Otto Grove, son of John and Lulu (Pikkarainen) Grove of Egeland, in Los Angeles. She lived briefly in Los Angeles, moving back to Egeland shortly after her marriage while her husband was deployed overseas during World War II. After returning to North Dakota, she served the Egeland school system as an elementary teacher from 1955-1974. At that time, the state began to require that all teachers must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree, so in 1974 she returned to college at Mayville State University, where she lived in a dormitory with the other coeds. Because of taking continuing education courses throughout her years of teaching, she was able to meet all requirements for the bachelor's degree in just one year, so received her degree in 1975. Aleta then taught in Starkweather, North Dakota for 1 year, after which she returned to the Egeland Elementary School until her retirement in 1986. For many years, she played piano and organ, accompanying her husband's vocal solos, at weddings, funerals, anniversaries, patriotic programs and many other public events. She also taught piano lessons to many students in the area. A member of the First Presbyterian Church of Egeland, she served as organist over a period of approximately seventy years, beginning when she was just 13 years old. She was active in the Presbyterian Ladies Aid, and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She also served as the treasurer for the Egeland Senior Citizen's. As a tribute to their longtime civic involvement, Aleta and Bland were chosen to serve as the Grand Marshal's in the Egeland Centennial parade in 2005. She was preceded in death by her husband on November 4, 2012; an infant son, Michael; her parents; and one brother, Walter. She is survived by her son Joel and wife Janet (Larson) of Glen Arm, MD; daughter Colleen (Robert) Rock of Larimore, ND; five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and her sister, Iona (Cooper) Berg, of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. At her request, there will be no visitation. Cremation arrangements are being handled by the Amundson Funeral Home, Grand Forks. A joint memorial service for Aleta and Bland will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Egeland, North Dakota on Saturday, May 25, with interment in the Egeland Union Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the Egeland Union Cemetery, the Egeland Senior Citizens Center or to your charity of choice.