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Michael Henry Grausam

Michael Henry Grausam, age 74, passed away peacefully on February 20, 2020 in his home surrounded by his loved ones after a 10-month battle with esophagus cancer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Friday, February 28, 2020 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Ulm. Monsignor Douglas Grams will celebrate the mass. New Ulm Comrades of Valor will provide honors. Burial will be held at a later date.

Visitation will be from 3-7:00 PM Thursday, February 27, 2020 at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home-North Chapel and will continue from 8-10:00 AM Friday at the North Chapel.

To leave online condolences for the family, or to sign the guest book, please visit www.mvfh.org.

Mike was born January 4, 1946 to Eugene (Gene) and Theodosia (Dodie) Grausam in New Ulm, and was named after his paternal grandfather, Henry (Odel) Grausam. During high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and spent 21 months in Vietnam. He was very proud of his military service which led him to a part-time job at the American Legion. He was offered a position by Don Palmer at General Trading Company which eventually became Auto Value and was employed for 52 plus years, where his colleagues and loyal customers often became lifelong friends.

Mike married Kathleen Piehl on October 16, 1971 at St. Mary’s church in Sleepy Eye. Mike and Kathy were blessed with four children, an extensive family, and touched the lives of many more through daycare and teaching archery with New Ulm Park and Rec for more than 20 years.

He was an active member of the American Legion, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Minnesota Deer Hunter’s Association, Pheasants Forever, Sioux Valley Gun Club, Isaac Walton League, Minnesota Valley Funeral Home Board (9 years), Catholic United Financial, and the Knights of Columbus. He dedicated every second Saturday of the month to serving Jerry and Rosie’s Made-Rights at the New Ulm American Legion greeting everyone with a smile or joke.

Mike was a man of many artistic talents including Halloween decorations, stained glass, wood-working, as well as crafting hand-made knives and wooden games which he gifted to his family, friends, and daycare children.

An avid sportsman since boyhood, Mike owned a boat before he owned a bicycle and always had faithful hunting dogs. Odel and Rocky were his most recent companions and were by his side throughout his fight with cancer.

Mike took his customer service to the next level when, on January 28, 2020, he drove his final route to bid farewell to those he served for so many years.

Mike loved spending spring to fall at the cabin and on the waters of Eagles Nest Lake in Ely, MN. Friends and family joined him for wild blueberry picking, grouse hunting, and campfire stories. Mike was a wonderful husband, father, grandpa, and friend who was loved by many and will be missed by all.

Mike is survived by his wife Kathy of 48 years and four children Kristen Kiese, Geno and Cara Grausam, Ann and Shawn Ellefson, Sara and Justin Bashus, as well as eight grandchildren Mick, Rosslyn, Garrick, Elizabeth, Anthony, Anders, Audry, and Isabella. His siblings Bob (Nancy) Grausam, Tom Grausam, John (Evie) Grausam, Nanette (Bob) Helgeson, Patty (Steve) Burdick, and Jimmy (Sandy) Grausam, Barbara Roetzler, and Jerry (Robin) Piehl as well as many nieces and nephews who will all miss him dearly.

In heaven, Mike will meet up with his parents Theodosia (Dodie) and Eugene (Gene) Grausam, his older sister Sr. Mary Ann Grausam, and in-laws Joe and Rose Piehl, Theresa Grausam, Frank Roetzler, Fran and Dick Blank. On the rainbow bridge, his many hunting dogs will be excited to greet him.

Memorials preferred to the New Ulm American Legion, New Ulm Area Catholic Schools, the New Ulm Regional Veterinary Center (NURVC) Veterinary Care Charitable Fund (VCCF), or the New Ulm Medical Center Foundation.

www.mvfh.org

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