Marjorie Ann Grinde

Marjorie Ann (Burnett) Grinde (“Marje”), 92, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 10, in Milwaukie, Ore. Marjorie was a long-time resident of Polson, raising her family with her husband Bob at the family home on Grinde Bay, Flathead Lake.

Born May 30, 1923, in Salt Lake City to William and Rose Burnett, Marje also lived in Billings, and Albuquerque, NM while growing up. While in New Mexico, the children were impressed with the Mexican culture and called their parents "Madre" and "Padre." Marje graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1941. She attended Eastern Montana Normal School (now MSU-Billings), and taught in a one-room school in Lindsay, Montana. She returned to college in Los Angeles, graduating from UCLA in 1946 with a degree in Applied Art. While in the LA area, she worked at an airplane manufacturing plant as a "Rosie-the-riveter." She later moved to New York City, where she met her husband Bob, through her brother Jack. 

Marje and Bob married in 1950 in New York. Kathy was born there, and in 1952 they moved to Glendive, MT, where Paul was born. They moved to Polson in 1955, where their four other children were born and raised. Marje and Bob lived in the family home on Grinde Bay from 1962 until 2011, when Bob passed away. They were members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Polson. Marge remained at home until 2013, when she moved to Milwaukie, Ore. to an assisted living facility near her youngest daughter Anne.

Marje’s family was always her first love and priority. She loved to paint watercolors, and was very active in the local art culture and a founding member of the Sandpiper Art Gallery. Her work was featured in a number of juried shows. She was also a competitive bridge player. Marje loved walking near the family home on Grinde Bay, and took up running in her 50's, continuing into her 80's. She became competitive in her age division, often winning or placing in area races. She ran in the Governor's Cup and Lilac Bloomsday runs several times. Marje also worked for a number of years in Dr. Ralph Campbell's pediatric practice in Polson, where she enjoyed interacting with the families. In 1982, Marge gathered the family to address a serious health issue with Bob. She had already researched all the alternatives, including transportation to a treatment facility, and impressed upon her kids the importance of this event. Because of her efforts, Bob regained health and lived another 29 years.

She is survived by her loving family: Kathy Grinde of Mukilteo, Wash.; Paul (Barbara) of Polson; Janet Grinde of Helena; Peter (Cynthia) of McCall, Idaho; Anne Love of Milwaukie, Ore.; and Roger (Michelle) of Stratham, N.H. Her twelve grandchildren and three great-grandsons also remember “Grammy” lovingly. Besides her parents, Marje was pre-deceased by her husband Bob in 2011, her siblings Bill, Marian, and Jack, and son-in-law Bill Love.

A memorial service will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Polson on Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marje’s memory to the Sandpiper Art Gallery in Polson, or to the Alzheimer’s Association.