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Eric Dean Grina, 44 of Audubon
Published 11:44am Wednesday, October 5, 2011Eric Grina, died Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, as a result of an train/automobile accident near Audubon.
He was born Nov. 20, 1966, in Eau Claire, Wis., the son of Dennis Gary and Carol Lynn (Danielson) Grina. q
In 1985, he graduated from high school and went on to attend Airline Mechanic training in Thief River Falls.
On Feb. 10, 1990, he married Renae Shetler at Christian Fellowship in Detroit Lakes.
They are the parents of Kayla and Jacob.
On Sept. 11, 1998, he married Lisa Puttbrese at Tamarac Wildlife Refuge in rural Detroit Lakes. He welcomed Lacey Davis as his step-daughter.
Their son, Levi was born in 2000.
Eric had been employed at SMT Health Systems in Detroit Lakes since 1993 where he was the Chief Engineer and chief problem solver.
Prior to that he worked at the Minneapolis Airport servicing airplanes.
He was self-taught in everything he did from designing to engineering to inventing and constructing.
He also started several companies including, Free Bird Innovations Inc, also known as FBI (a company that designed and sold Ultra Lights), RelyOn Graphics (for creating Industrial Labels) and 3Designs (a CAD drafting company). Eric and Lisa also developed and ran the Satellite Poker League.
His hobbies included golf, flying, playing poker, cars (especially his Jaguar), motorcycles, racing dirt bikes, bowling and travel. He enjoyed his trips to Germany, China and the Caribbean.
On a business trip to Germany he enjoyed speeding down the Autobahn Highway, fulfilling a wish on his bucket list.
He admired art and music and was often heard whistling, humming and singing little ditties.
He was humorous, creative, intelligent and ingenious. Eric loved life and enjoyed being with family and friends.
Preceding him in death were his grandparents, Gerhard and Gertrude Grina (Northwood, N.D.) and Marvin and Florence Danielson (rural Fergus Falls)
Survivors include his parents, Dennis and Carol Grina, his wife, Lisa; his children, Kayla, Lacey, Jacob and Levi; three sisters, Cindy (Nathan) Danielson of rural Audubon, Chris (Dick) Tolman of Bemidji and Amy (Kris) Legate of Sahuarita, Ariz.; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins; and a host of friends.
In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to the family.
Visitation: Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, at Lakes Area Vineyard Church, Detroit Lakes
Service: 11 a.m. Saturday, at Lakes Area Vineyard Church, Detroit Lake, (south of Wal-Mart and the airport)
Clergy: Rev. Janice Ornquist
Burial: Oak Grove Cemetery, Detroit Lakes
Funeral Home: Faith and Hope Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
Condolences may be sent online at www.faithhopefh.com
