Alice Viola Grieger, age 86, August 24, 2013.

Alice Viola Hill was born on February 27, 1927, to John David Edward 'Ed' and Laina Matilda (Kumara) Hill in Wolf Lake Minnesota.

Much of her childhood was spent in the Wolf Lake and Frazee area. In 1945 she graduated from high school in Butte, Montana. Alice relocated to Milwaukee where she worked briefly and then returned to New York Mills. At the age of 21 she married Rufus Fraki on October 30, 1948, in Wadena MN. Alice and Rufus raised five children in New York Mills Madison, and Marietta MN. The family moved in 1966 when Rufus found employment in Madison. He retired in 1975, and Alice returned to school at the age of 48. She received her LPN degree in June of 1976, graduating near the top of her class. For a short time Alice worked at the Dawson Nursing Home in Dawson MN. Rufus passed away on April 28, 1979, as the family was in the process of moving back to New York Mills. Alice soon put her nursing skills to work at the Elders' Home. She retired in 1989. She married Robert Grieger on June 29, 1984, at First Congregational Church in New York Mills. Throughout the years they enjoyed spending time with family and traveling around the country. Bob passed away on November 27, 2002. Alice lived independently until the end of 2005 when failing health led to her decision to move to the Elders' Home where she made her home for 7 1/2 years. Alice was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, a good citizen, and loyal friend. She was an active participant in the life of her community, volunteering through First Congregational Church, the VFW Auxiliary, Meals on Wheels, and the New York Mills Food Shelf. She loved to sing. She enjoyed sewing for her family: quilts, clothing, wall hangings, stuffed animals, pajamas, counted cross-stitch projects, even camouflage curtains for a fish house. Alice was patient, reassuring, encouraging, generous. She lived her life with grace, laughter and a love of God.

Her kind and gentle spirit will be remembered by: Daughters: Gail (Patrick) Plathe of Owatonna, Mona (Paul Neyers) Fraki and Jill Fraki of St Louis Park. Sons: Dave Fraki of New York Mills, Joel (Nancy) Fraki of Plainview Step son: Larry (Rachel) Grieger of New York Mills. Grandchildren: Justin (Ronda) Plathe and Allison Plathe of St. Paul, Siiri (Larry) Davidson of Chicago, Kameron Fraki of Plainview, Will (Danielle) Grieger of Rosholt South Dakota, Roberta (Eric) Grieger Nimmo of Bismarck, North Dakota, Benjamin Grieger of New York Mills. Bobby (Kayla Youngbauer) Kempenich, Doug Kempenich, and Alex (Cally) Kempenich of Wadena. Brianna Kempenich of Fargo. Great grandchildren: Georgia-Rae and Vince Plathe, Abigail and Nicholas Davidson, Lillian Grieger, and Brynnely Kempenich Sister: Carol (Richard) Beals of Damascus, Oregon and niece Sarah (Ed) Eckmann of Sandy, Oregon. Other survivors include nieces and nephews and extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husbands, her sister Bernice Malloy, three infant brothers, her stepfather George Carl Hilden and stepbrother Arnold Benhart "Benny" Hilden.

The family extends heartfelt appreciation to the wonderful staff and caregivers at the Elders' Home in New York Mills and Red River Valley Hospice for the special attention and exceptional care they gave Alice.