Christine Gries

A memorial service for Christine Gries will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at the Bonnerup Funeral Chapel, Albert Lea.  The Reverend Kent Otterman will officiate.  Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service.

Christine passed away peacefully on Monday, February 19, 2018 at Oak Park Place in Albert Lea.

Christine “Chris” (Munro) Gries was born on July 12, 1926 to John and Alexandria (Murray) Munro in Fort William, Ontario.  She grew up in Fort William (Thunder Bay) and graduated from High School there.  After school, she would go on to a trade school, and work various jobs along the way.  While working at Chic’s Thousand Lake Resort in  Upsala, Ontario, she would eventually meet her future husband, Henry.  Christine and Henry would marry in August of 1960, in Kiester, MN, where they would make their home.  In the mid 60's  Chris opened Gries’ Café, and would own the café for many years.

Chris was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Kiester.  In her free time, she liked to to sew Hardunger and was an avid bingo player.  She enjoyed visiting with friends over a cup of coffee, and she was an excellent cook and baker – being known as the “Lefse Lady” on KATE Radio Party Line!  Chris was always taking care of others, and always thought of others before herself.  Most of all, Chris was proud of her family, and she enjoyed every minute she spent with her grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by both parents; husband, Henry; siblings, George, Jack, and Mary Ann. Step children, Donna, Helen, and Janet; a nephew, Murray; and a special friend, Gene Walls.

Christine is survived by her children, Karen (Craig) Hagen of Glenville, and Jody (James) Carlson of Hoyt Lakes, MN; step child, Fred (Janeen) Gries of Bloomington, MN; grandchildren, Katherine and Kyle Carlson and Alexandria Hagen; siblings, Jean (Mario) Donadel of Thunder Bay, Ontario, and Robert (Marilyn) Munro of Thunder Bay, Ontario; a brother in-law, Max Mekilok of Thunder Bay, Ontario; as well as many extended relatives and friends.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the nurses and staff at Oak Park Place for the unconditional love and outstanding care she received in her three years of residing there.