Obituary of Alice Leona Grinde-Mehlhoff

Born in Bisbee, North Dakota to Agnes and Elling J. Grinde, Alice was the youngest of a set of twin girls born into the Grinde Family. Alice, and her twin sister Adeline, were never far from one another throughout their lives. Alice and Adeline had one other younger sister, and two older brothers in their family. In 1938, Agnes and Elling moved their family to Oregon choosing Salem as their new home. The younger children attended Salem Public schools soon after their arrival in Oregon. It was while attending school Alice met her future husband, Floyd. Their relationship blossomed through the years, never being far apart from one another. Soon after Floyd's release from the Navy, the couple married on March 14, 1947 in the Lutheran Church in Salem. Alice had a very special bond and relationship with her Mother-in-Law that has lasted since their first meeting. Alice was a telephone operator with Pacific NW Bell until she retired in 1951 to become a full-time wife and Mother. There were three children, a Daughter and two Sons born to Alice and Floyd. Alice loved flowers of any kind, and many varieties grew in the beautiful and well-manicured garden oasis. Frequent tours were given to any who wanted to take a closer look. The Family had many summer meals outside during the summer, or enjoyed a cold drink under the shade of the huge oak tree in the back yard. Alice also enjoyed music, especially Organ and Harmonica. Her Husband Floyd purchased a beautiful Organ for her, and at age 60 she began lessons to learn to play. She loved Broadway hit tunes. Many of the Couple's life-long friends from their school years celebrated their birthdays together with trips to exotic places like Hawaii. They always had a marvelous time and came back with stories to tell. In 1974, the Family home was sold and Floyd and Alice built a new home on the Little North Fork of the Santiam River. Alice once again worked her landscaping magic and turned the grounds into a showcase of natural beauty. There were many Family summer BBQ's, Holiday dinners, snowy Christmases and summer swimming fun held on the homestead property. Many memories have been made through the years that will never be forgotten. Although tiny in stature, Alice was a "spunky monkey". Attacked by a young deer she previously had shooed out of her prized flower beds, Alice tried to secure herself away from the deer so that he could not gore her. Somehow, he did manage to wound her. She fought him off despite her injury and made it to the house to call for help. A quick trip to the ER for some cleaning and stitching of the wound, and a call to the game warden ended the standoff. She never once lost her enjoyment of watching the deer around their home even after her incident. Thus, she earned the title of "Spunky Monkey". In 2010 Floyd suffered a major stroke and could no longer safely live at home. Rather than leave her beloved husband of 63 years, Alice chose to live with Floyd at Lancaster Village. She was Floyd's rock and life until his death in April of 2019. Mom is in a better place now, and back with her beloved Husband and constant companion. Her Parents, Sisters, Brothers and In Laws, who preceded her in death, will no doubt welcome her with open arms. We will miss our Mother terribly, but it is time to let her be with her other loved ones. Alice is survived by her three Children; Connie Jo, Robert (Shelley) and Rickey James (Jeanie), four Grandchildren; Jamie (Monica), Kari (Andy), Chad (Shanarra) and Tara Rene; Six Great Grandchildren; Austin, Alysa Nelson. Nicolas Wolford, Zachary, Mathew, and Greyson Robert Mehlhoff; many nieces and nephews. Rest in Peace Mom, we love and miss you very much. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at the Family home on the Santiam River.