Grace Ortloff, 87, died Saturday, June 13, 2009 at her home in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Thursday, June 18, 2009 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Mark Helgeland officiating. Burial will be at Landstad Cemetery, rural Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be 5-8 PM, Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM presided by Rev. John Wollenzien. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Thursday.

Grace Elenora Sevre was born May 20, 1922 on the home farm in Sanders Township, Pennington County, MN, the daughter of Olavus Knute and Clara (Simonson) Sevre. She was baptized at Landstad Church and confirmed at Calvary Lutheran in St. Hilaire, MN by Reverend Dahle. She attended school District 180 in Bray Township, Pennington County, MN.

On January 19, 1942, Grace was united in marriage to Raymond Louis Ortloff and on January 20, 1942, Ray left for the Army. Grace would take the train to visit Ray during this time. Grace also became a care giver for her mother. The couple started out farming west of town after Rays return from service. Grace raised her children and then began working outside of the home at Franklin School as a lunch aide. She also worked as a nurses aide at Oakland Park and then managed the senior meal program out of the hospital for about 7 ½ years. She has lived in her home on South Kendall for the past 51 years.

Grace was an avid sports fan, especially the Twins and Vikings, as well as UND hockey. She even hung in with them during the tough seasons. She enjoyed cooking and baking, especially cookies and lefse and canning pickles. She kept a spotless house and would be never be caught in public without her hair fixed and make up done. She enjoyed traveling and one of her favorite trips was to Norway. In her younger years she did lots of snow skiing. Grace also helped at Landstad Church for their annual service, by helping clean the church and providing baked goods.

She is survived by 7 children: Barbara (Don) Johnson, Lawton, OK, Dwight Ortloff, Thief River Falls, MN, Julie Skelton, Moorhead, MN, Heidi (Monte) Casavan, Red Lake Falls, MN, Wayne Ortloff, Minneapolis, MN, Jodi (Doug) Disterhaupt, Thief River Falls, MN and Kristie Hodgson, Brooks, MN; 19 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandson, 2 sisters in law: Alyce Sevre, Thief River Falls, MN, Esther Sevre, Thief River Falls, MN, special friend and neighbor for the past 42 years Arla Wiskow, and many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Grace was preceded in death by husband, parents, 3 brothers, Clarence, Donnie and Glen Sevre, son in law Sheldon Hodgson.

SPECIAL MUSIC: Greg Dally & Paula Adamson
SELECTIONS: Go Rest High On That Mountain Mocking Bird Hill Songs Grace Liked
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Amazing Grace & How Great Thou Art
RECESSIONAL SONG: Church in the Valley
CASKETBEARERS: Grandsons Jeff Johnson, Joel Johnson, Chris Ortloff, Mike Abner, Ryan Casavan, Andy Casavan, Nick Ortloff, Andrei Ortloff, Justin Disterhaupt, Jesse Hodgson, Josh Hodgson
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: All of Graces Granddaughters, great grandchildren, and great great grandson