Ernest A. Grani

Ernest was born in Eglon Township, Clay County, Minnesota, to Edwin and Annette Quam Grani, on March 29, 1919. After his mother's death when he was three years old, he lived with his father on the farm and attended school in Eglon Township. Ernest was confirmed at Solem Lutheran Church. In February 1945, he entered the U.S. Army and was stationed in Italy. While in the Army, he was in the 88th Inventory Division. He did mechanical work in the Army and was honorably discharged in November of 1946. Ernie was a member of the American Legion in Lake Park, MN. He was a lumberjack and spent some time in Little Fork, MN, where he stayed each winter to cut wood. He was a very strong man who was capable of fixing most anything that needed repair. Ernest married Maxine Nelson Passanante in September 1960. Maxine had three sons, Tony, Richard and John Passanante. Ernie bought the family farm from his father in 1950, where he operated a dairy business until 1976, when he sold the cows and rented out the land. He started a business of buying and selling used machine parts and tractors. He was known for his dedication to John Deere tractors, and also for his sense of humor. Ernie retired in 2002. Because of poor health, he became a resident of the Hawley Senior Living in 2004, and in September of 2007 he moved to the Viking Manor Nursing Home in Ulen, MN. Ernie enjoyed going to farm auctions, playing cards, visiting with neighbors and friends, and his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Maxine Grani, Lake Park, MN; a daughter, Annette Grani Olson, Golden Valley, MN; two sons, Tony Diane Passanante, Hawley, MN, and Richard Liew Passanante, Salem, OR; a daughter-in-law, Pam Passanante, Moorhead, MN; grandchildren, Tina Passanante, Anthony Passanante, Andrew Jamie Passanante, Mandy Travis Tollerud, Angela Nick Dahlen, Carmen Passanante, Alex Passanante, Mitchell Olson, and Heather & Casey Gallagher; great-grandchildren, Tanner, Madisyn & Tyson Tollerud, and Fallon Passanante. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, John Passanante; one sister, Rhoda Vernon Doran; one brother, Morris Grani; and many nieces and nephews.