Ethel M Grundahl

Ethel Marie Grundahl, 87, passed away peacefully on Monday September 22, 2025. She was welcomed into her heavenly home by Jesus, saying “kom inn i huset mitt” (Norwegian for come into my house).

Ethel was born on September 29, 1937, in Madison to Andrew “Volquar” and Helen (Grinder) Jenson. On September 14, 1957, Ethel married Thomas Grundahl at Perry Lutheran Church and together they raised six children. The two were happily married until Tom’s passing on March 25, 2024.

Ethel and Tom loved traveling cross-country with relatives and riding motorcycles with friends. They spent 23 winters in Arizona, escaping the cold and enjoying the sun. Ethel was an avid thrifter, who loved to sew and garden. She was known for her homemade donuts, lefse, chocolate cake, and always had girl and boy cookies in her freezer. Ethel had a healthy collection of porcelain dolls and proudly displayed her Norwegian heritage in her home, with Rosemaling art and Nissa’s.

Ethel is survived by her children, Mark (Deb) Grundahl, Gary Grundahl, Randy (Cindy) Grundahl, Dan (Carol) Grundahl, Brenda (Greg) Grundahl-Faust, Mitch (Lora) Grundahl; 19 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren and one on the way. She will also be missed by many other relatives and friends.

Ethel was preceded in death by her husband Tom Grundahl, her parents Volquar and Helen, and stepmother Christine, her sisters Avis and Beverly and brother Maynard.

A visitation will take place on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at Lakeview Lutheran Church, 4001 Mandrake Rd. Madison, WI 53704 from 11AM to 1PM, with service after. A shared burial for Tom and Ethel will follow services, at the Lakeview Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Lakeview Lutheran Church. Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie

(608) 837-9054