Duane
A. ‘Grip’ Gripentrog, 73, a long time
educator from Shelby , passed away Monday, September 17, 2007, at the Marias
Medical Center due to natural causes. Visitation is Thursday from 1:00 until
8:00 pm at the Whitted Funeral Chapel. Funeral services are Friday,
September 21, at 11:00 am at the Shelby High School Auditorium. Burial with
military honors will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery . A reception for
family and friends will be held at the Dixie Inn following the interment at
the cemetery. The family suggests memorials be directed
to the Duane Gripentrog Scholarship Fund. Condolences may be sent to
www.whittedfuneralchapel.com.
Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Inez Pellman Gripentrog of Shelby; daughters, Doreen Gripentrog of Shelby, Diane Lazenby of Kevin, Jeannie Gripentrog of Bozeman and Linda Ryan of Ennis, MT; son, Roger Gripentrog of Redmond, WA; sisters, Donna Rittenhouse of Sioux Falls, SD and Pat (Philip) Schmitt of Moorehead, MN; brothers, Mike (Darlene) Gripentrog of Stillwater, MN, Brian (Joan) Gripentrog of Cedar Park, TX and Tom Gripentrog of Maple Grove, MN; sister-in-law, Sherry Hoverman of Wahpeton, ND; brother-in-law, Jerry Ruland of Dekalb, IL; nine grandchildren, Tanya and Cory Lazenby, Conor and Dylan Ryan, Tara and Sara Trotchie, Kelsie, August and Daniel Gripentrog; as well as 83 nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Danny; brothers, Darryl & David; sisters, Darleen Mydlack and Dolores Ruland; sister-in-law, Colleen Gripentrog; brothers-in-law, Lew Mydlack & Wes Rittenhouse.
Grip was born July 15, 1934 at Great Bend , ND to Alvin & Mabel (Marik) Gripentrog. He attended St. John’s Catholic School and graduated from Wahpeton, North Dakota High School . He attended Wahpeton State School of Science, Valley City State College and the University of Montana . He served in the US Army as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne from Oct. 1953 to Oct. 1956.
He and Inez Pellman were married June 7, 1958 at Mantador , ND . In 1962 they moved to Medicine Lake where he taught high school biology for 5 years. In 1967 they moved to Shelby where he taught for 23 and one half years before ill health forced his retirement.
Grip was a member of the Catholic Church, Elks Lodge and Knights of Columbus . He enjoyed listening to music, woodworking, and reading and loved going to family reunions.
Being a former class clown himself undoubtedly made “Mr. Grip” a better teacher. During his 28 and one half years of educating, he received several accolades for his outstanding teaching abilities. Hundreds of high school students from Medicine Lake and Shelby benefited from his talents, and he is still a legend in the Shelby School System.
Grip loved his wife, children and grandchildren; and his creativity and humor taught us to look for and appreciate the lighter side, particularly in situations that aren’t normally funny. Laughter was only a small part of his legacy to his family. From helping his 3-year-old daughter name her imaginary friends to teaching his sons basic carpentry and painting skills to teaching his grandsons paratrooper songs (complete with swear words), Grip’s influences will live on.
Even through his many years of health issues, Duane maintained his
dignity and sense of humor. We will never forget our husband, dad,
grandfather, brother, uncle, teacher and friend. He will be in our hearts
always.
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