Carl Grannis

Carl Arthur Grannis age 94, of Madelia, Minnesota died on February 27, 2025, at Madelia Health - Hospital.

Service will be held at the Salem Lutheran Church-Madelia, on Friday, March 7, 2025 at 11:00 am. Visitation will take place at the church one hour prior to the funeral.

Military Honors will be provided by the Madelia Area Veterans Honor Guard.

The clergy will be Rev. Greg Volbrecht. Interment will be at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Lewisville, MN at a later date.

Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Madelia, Minnesota. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Carl Arthur Grannis was born on September 5, 1930 in Mankato, Minnesota to Torbjorn and Florence (Fisk) Grannis. After the death of his father, Carl was raised by his grandparents, Arthur and Bessie (Long) Fisk. As soon as Carl turned 18, he enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Korean War. In the Army, he served as a Corporal in the 84th Engineer Battalion, Quartermaster in Guam. Carl received the Korean Service Medal with 5 bronze stars for 5 campaigns. After serving four years in the army, Carl was Honorably Discharged and began working at Interstate Power Company. Soon this handsome young man met a beautiful young farm girl (Elaine Schwarz). After dating, he was infatuated with Elaine and wished to marry her. Elaine's dad was adamant they wait until she turned 20. They married on September 27th, 1953, living in Amboy. Elaine worked with Dr. Morgan in Amboy as Carl continued his job at Interstate. They were blessed with a daughter (Laurie) on February 23, 1955, followed by their son (James) on June 13, 1957. In 1966 Carl became the regional representative for Interstate Power and moved his family to Lewisville, Minnesota where he retired after 40 years of service at Interstate Power.

Carl served in the Lewisville Volunteer Fire Department for many years, served in the American Legion for 73 years and was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Lewisville. Carl and Elaine spent many years wintering in Southern Texas as snowbirds. Carl enjoyed shooting on the Lewisville trap team at the Truman Gun Club. He was an outdoor enthusiast and enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. One of his most memorable trips was a fishing trip to Alaska with his son, Jim and grandson, Michael. Another memorable trip was to be part of an Honor Flight to Washington DC with his daughter, son and daughter In-law. At 90, to spend more time in nature, Carl started mowing his son and daughter in-law’s farm yard near Winnebago.

He was an expert in cribbage, billiards and playing cards. Carl was free with his advice as well as his help. Carl was a very caring person who showed his affection by teasing as well as his unique "dadisms". When he helped you with something, he would often say “two heads are better than one … even if one’s a dumb head”. If you forgot and had to go back for something he would say “what you lack in brains, you make up in feet”.

Most of all, he loved being with his family.

Carl is survived by his daughter, Laurie (Kevin, Sr.) Lewis and son, James (Merodee) Grannis; grandchildren, Angelica Sanchez, Rev. Michael (Kristy) Grannis, Heather Grannis, Heidi Grannis, Jamie (Emir) Zukic, Holly (Chris) Herring, Kevin Lewis, Jr.; great-grandchildren, Jaiden, Michaiah, Tovin, Colby, Kina, Ada, Eliana, Elora, Teshua, Joah, Jeraiah, Beckett, Kohen, Maven and Lily. He is preceded in death by his wife Elaine Grannis in 2022.