David Grivette

Gathering of friends and family will be held 2-4 pm Monday, December 22, 2014 with a prayer service at 3:45 pm led by Fr. Steven Daigle at the Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora. David Grivette, 76, died Friday, November 28, 2014 at Eveleth Fitzgerald Nursing Home from complications of Alzheimer’s. His remains have been donated to the Anatomy Bequest Program at the University of Minnesota. David was born at home in Aurora, MN, December 18, 1937 to Rose (Turk) and John Grivette. He graduated from Aurora High School, being active in Football (All Conference), Track and was a member of the 1956 State Tournament basketball team. He was in the National Guard for eight years. He graduated from Virginia Jr. College, the Univ. of MN – Duluth with a Degree in Physical Education and Geography. He also attended Northern Illinois University. He worked for Mutual Service Insurance and Jim’s Chevrolet until moving to Rockford Illinois to teach Geography, Drivers Ed and coach football at Harlem High School. He later became the Audio Visual Director for the school district. Dave married his high school sweetheart, Vyna Kumpula in 1958. They have three children; Kyle, Kraig and Kristen. He was active in the communities in which he lived. Toastmasters Int’l, President of the first chapter of Jaycee’s in Hoyt Lakes, MN, the North Park, IL Vol. Fire Dept., the Lions Club, Aurora-Hoyt Lakes School Board, Aurora 4th of July Committee and an officer in the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Assn. In 1975, he and Vyna bought the Embers Lounge in Loves Park, IL and a year later the Prairie Moon Saloon. In 1980 they moved back to Aurora and bought Hank’s Bar; adding a kitchen and renaming the place to The Abbey Pub and Eatery. In 1986 they bought the Copper Nickel Bar. Dave loved talking about the old locations and history of Aurora, hunting, snowmobiling, reading, refinishing old furniture and making Diamond Willow canes, and attending the sporting events of his grandchildren. Dave is survived by his wife, Vyna. Son Kyle (Rae Harris), Lakewood CO, Kyle’s former wife Lynne Smith Grivette and their children Jillian, David and Riley; son Kraig (Renee’ Baudhuin), Aurora, MN, their children Alexandra (Tom) Kelly and Troy (fiancé Chelsea Filipovich) and Daughter Kristen (Kent) Larson, Tucson AZ, her former husband Matthew Guzman and their children Jake and Luke and Matt’s daughter Caitlin, Kent’s children Sienna, Darrick and Patrick Larson and Kent’s grandchildren Lyla and Lucas Larson, Sisters-in-law Helen (Donald) Grivette, Elsie (John) Grivette, Brother-in-Law Arlen (Josephine) Kumpula, Mother-in-Law Ina Kumpula, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Donald and John, Father-in-Law Frank Kumpula.