Nedra Aileen (Mendelin) Granquist
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Nedra Granquist passed away on March 30, 2020, after a long battle with cancer. She was born in Calumet, Michigan on June 25, 1941, and lived most of her life in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She graduated from Calumet High School in 1959. After graduating from the University of Michigan, she taught high school English in Chassell, Michigan, married Luther Granquist, raised three boys in south Minneapolis, and fostered two teenage mothers.
Nedra cultivated many lifetime friendships. These started with school friends in Michigan and continued to include the neighborhood friends in Minneapolis, the “Becker Bunch” and Minnesota Legal Aid folks, the Weaver’s Guild (Rag Rug Group), co-workers, and the many people from Zion Lutheran Church. These friendships were a source of joy in her life and for her family.
Following in the tradition of the Finnish immigrants like her grandmother, weaving rag rugs and other textiles started as a hobby in the 1980s and became a lifelong passion, resulting in many State Fair ribbons and an artist studio where she created weavings and other art beloved by many throughout the Midwest. She was active in the Weaver’s Guild for years as a member and mentor. Music was another one of her passions. 
She played in the marching band in high school and college. She sang in the church choir and loved attending orchestra concerts. She enjoyed camping (even with young children) and cooking over a log fire, travel, literature, and Minnesota Public Radio – which was always on in the kitchen. She was a wonderful baker and cook, whose sour cream ring cookies and other treats, traditional pasties, fruitcake and famous Easter ham which were greatly celebrated by family and friends. She is remembered for her compassion, wit, and sense of humor.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Tony and Aili Mendelin, and by her brother Edward Mendelin. She is survived by her sons, Vincent Granquist (Paula) of Northfield, Minnesota and grandchildren Erick and Ingrid, Benjamin Granquist (Ann) of Denver, Colorado, and Edward Granquist, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, who is a hero for taking care of her these last months. She is also survived by her beloved brothers and sisters, Jack Mendelin (Anna), Peggy Bagley (Rick), Lois Ellefson, Dave Mendelin (Elaine), by many nieces and nephews, her aunts and uncles, Martha Stojkov, Bob Hodges, Elaine Salmela, and cousins by the dozen.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Zoom House in South Minneapolis. A memorial service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in south Minneapolis at a later date.