Sue Grabinski

Sue (Susan) Linda (Almquist) Grabinski, 63, went to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016 with her family by her side.

Sue fought colon cancer beginning May 2013. She put on a fierce battle. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

Sue was born to John and Mabel Almquist in Wrangell, Alaska, on June 19, 1953. She joined her big brother Jack in the family. In 1954 the family moved back to Willmar, Minn., where brothers Tom and Bob were added to the family. Sue attended all of her schooling in the Willmar area. During her high school years she worked at the local state institution for handicapped children in Willmar. That is where she found her love to become a teacher and attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D. In 1975, she earned her degree in special education with a minor in math. Upon her college graduation, she and younger brother Tom decided to spend a summer working in Alaska. She had a yearning to return to her birth state. While working at an outfitter guide lodge, Sue met the principal of the school in Petersburg, Alaska, and he encouraged her to come to work for him as the special education teacher.

While teaching in Petersburg, she met and married Tom Grabinski on Aug. 20, 1977. To this union three children were born, Ryan in 1979; Kevin in 1981; and Nicole in 1985. Tom was employed by the U.S. Forest Service and they moved to Bozeman in the fall of 1979 and lived there until moving to Troy in 1991. Sue was a stay-at-home mother/wife while in Bozeman and volunteered within the community. Summers were spent taking family vacations, going camping, rafting and returning to Minnesota to visit Sue’s family.

Moving to Troy with the youngest now starting first grade brought back a desire to return to teaching, in addition to being a mom and wife. She applied in 1992 at the Morrison Elementary school as a teacher’s aide in the special education program. She was accepted and began a career that lasted for 12 years. Upon her decision to retire from teaching, she spent a year doing Christian volunteer work at orphanages with her daughter Nicole in Arizona, India and Mexico for several months in the fall/winter of 2004-2005.

After returning home from the overseas trip, her energy was not yet spent and she was offered and took on the responsibility of being chairperson for the Troy Food Pantry from 2005 through 2016. She loved to go down to the pantry and restock the shelves on a weekly basis.

During this time, she was also very active at Christ Lutheran Church in Libby where she especially enjoying working with the women’s servant group working in crisis centers, food kitchens, and Goodwill centers all around the states. She made many friends during those trips and always returned tired and yet ready for the next trip.

Sue became a grandmother in October 2010 and again in October 2012. Bethany and Sarai Nygren (Nicole’s children) became another love of her life. Although her health declined during her last year, it too was not without some life events she wanted to experience before the Lord welcomed her home.

She was delighted to take a hot air balloon ride with the family in July 2016, a southeast Alaska Cruise in August 2016, and rafted the Kootenai River in September 2016. Sue was an amazing, yet humble woman who loved life, loved her family and friends and she made the whole world a better place.

Sue is survived by her husband, Tom, of Troy; son, Ryan (Jamie), of Belgrade; son, Kevin, of East Helena; daughter, Nicole (Jeremiah), Nygren, and granddaughters, Bethany and Sarai of Dillon; brothers, Jack (Cathy) Almquist of Willmar, Minn., Tom Almquist of Roseville, Minn., and Bob Almquist of Raymond, Wash.

Uncles and aunts, nieces and nephews and many cousins are remembered with special places in her heart. Her friends from Christ Lutheran and the Troy Food Pantry were very special in her life. Her parents, John and Mabel, preceded her in death in 2000 and 2010.

Sue’s Celebration of life service will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, 200 W. Larch St, Libby, on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016 at 11 a.m., followed with lunch served in the fellowship hall. Sue’s wish is for everyone to wear something casual and colorful to celebrate her life.

Memorials can be made to Christ Lutheran Church, Lincoln County Wings Foundation or the Troy Food Pantry.

Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.

Interment will be later in the Bozeman area.