Alice Gronseth Meiners, 82, died on Tuesday morning, May 24, 2011, at her home in Sunrise Retirement Communities of Edina. Alice was born on June 15, 1928, to Albert and Emma Gronseth.

She grew up on her parents’ farm outside of Sargeant, Minn. Following graduation from Austin High School in 1946, she moved to Chicago to work for the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board and, subsequently, the U.S. Bureau of Customs, where she met her future husband, Bernard A. Meiners. She married Bernard on Feb. 20, 1954, in Chicago, where they resided until his retirement in 1964. They then moved to Austin, where she lived for most of the remainder of her life. Alice loved her family. She was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. When her husband became ill, she counted it a joy to be able to care for him at home for several years prior to his death in 1975. She loved her children and delighted in watching them grow. She enjoyed preparing special surprises for her grandchildren whenever they visited. Her friends and family knew her to be a faithful correspondent, who valued keeping in touch by letter. Among her favorite activities were time spent with her brothers, sisters and their families. She particularly enjoyed the annual Gronseth Family Picnic. Alice also loved her church family. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Austin for over 40 years. She worked in the church library and visited shut-ins. She and her husband frequently entertained guest speakers and the church youth group. All of us who loved Alice are comforted by knowledge that she is now with her Savior.

Survivors include one daughter, Marilyn (Mark) Johnson, Williamston, Mich.; son, Cary Meiners, Burnsville, Minn.; two grandchildren, Daniel and Emma Johnson; three brothers, Stanley (Ellen) Gronseth, Wallace Gronseth, and James (Janice) Gronseth; two sisters, Fran Martin and Adeline Moen; one sister-in-law, Jean Gronseth; one brother-in-law, James Winholt; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bernard; two brothers, Charles Gronseth and Archie Gronseth; sister Shirley Winholt; brothers-in-law, Herb Martin, Willard Moen and sister-in-law, LaVonne Gronseth.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 28, at Worlein Funeral Homes in Austin with The Reverend R. Allan Flint officiating. Visitation is at Worlein Funeral Home, Austin, from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment is at Grandview Cemetery, Austin. The family prefers memorials to the Salvation Army of Austin or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.