Catherine "Cathy" (Carlson) Gronfield

Catherine "Cathy" (Carlson) Gronfield, 69, of Graceville, MN, passed away peacefully at her family home on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, with her loved ones by her side.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, March 31, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Mundwiler & Larson Funeral Home in Graceville, MN. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 30, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and will continue one hour prior to the service on Monday. Pastor Tom Fangmeier will officiate. Burial will be at Graceville Consolidated Cemetery near Graceville.

The service will be livestreamed and recorded and will be viewable at the bottom of this page.

Catherine “Cathy” Marie Gronfield was born March 30, 1955, in Graceville, MN, to Martin and Delores (Sullivan) Carlson. She was baptized and confirmed at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville. Cathy attended public school in Graceville and graduated in 1973. She went on to pursue higher education at the University of Minnesota where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business management.

Cathy’s professional career in logistics, information technology, and sales culminated with International Business Machines (IBM) in the Twin Cities and Arkansas. In addition to her corporate career, Cathy was deeply committed to her faith and was proud to become an ordained minister. Her ministry work took her to the Philippines, as well as to various inner-city and international missions.

Cathy had a deep love of animals, including her dogs, but particularly her horses. She thoroughly enjoyed dressage competition, riding clubs, and horse shows.

She found immense peace and joy in nature with gardening as one of her favorite pastimes. She took pride in cultivating flowers, vegetables, and herbs. She found joy in feeding and watching birds, collecting art, and enjoying fine cuisine.

After retiring from IBM in 2017, Cathy dedicated herself to her ministry. She was active in numerous church groups throughout her life. In 2020, she moved back to west central Minnesota to be close with family. This move allowed her to form even stronger bonds with her loved ones, which she cherished deeply. Cathy found great comfort in spending time with family and friends, something she felt missing during her time in the cities.

Cathy’s life was marked by a natural charm full of a grace, sophistication and elegance that was uniquely hers.

She is survived by siblings: Barb (Rick) Beyer of Alexandria, MN; Larry Carlson of Wheaton, MN; Mary Jo Stueve (Brian Shishnia) of Aberdeen, SD; Sally (Kevin) Corbett of Ottertail, MN; Carol (Chuck) Bauer of Graceville, MN; and Bonnie (Steve) Maas of Clinton, MN; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother and stepfather: Delores and Marshall Miller, father and stepmother: Martin “Punk” and Virginia “Ginger” Carlson; and three brothers: Dale, Mark, and Bruce.

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to Hosanna Worship Center in Morris, Minnesota.