Rachel Philomena Grondahl

Rachel Philomena (Thurner) Grondahl, age 61, passed away on August 3, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. Rachel will be remembered for her intelligence, generosity, adventurous spirit, unwavering faith in the Catholic Church, and the extraordinary love she gave to her family. Her example of courage, perseverance, and trust in God will continue to inspire all who knew and loved her. Rachel was born on November 2, 1964, in Le Sueur, Minnesota, to Carl and Janet Thurner. In 1982, before her senior year of high school, she enlisted in the United States Army Reserves, and completed basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Graduating early in 1983, she went to advanced training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, learning to be an EKG technician. During her military service, she studied Russian at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA, became fluent and further trained as an interrogator. While continuing her service in the Army Reserves, and working at Seton Hospital, Rachel attended the University of Texas at Austin, earning both her undergraduate degree and MBA. Throughout the early 1990s, Rachel volunteered at orphanages in Poland and Russia. She also became a Certified Public Accountant and returned to Minnesota in 1993 to begin her career at Deloitte & Touche, where she met Mike, the man who would become her husband. In the summer of 1994, with an MBA, CPA, and fluency in Russian, she moved to Moscow to pursue the next chapter of her career. After a few months, Mike took a role in the Moscow office of Ernst & Young so they could begin their life together there. While in Moscow, they welcomed their first daughter, Emily, in 1995, followed by their second daughter, Katie. In 1997, the family returned to Minnesota upon learning that Rachel's mother was ill. They settled in Bloomington, and welcomed their son, Jack, and daughters Lucy and Liza, completing the family that was the center of Rachel's life. In 2005, the family moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, and Rachel quickly made this new city a home for the family. The children attended Christ the King Catholic School, and Rachel volunteered at school and church events. She formed deep and long-lasting friendships with the rosary making group, and she led the Friday afternoon Divine Mercy Chaplet in the adoration chapel, where her children knew to go instead of the usual pick up spot. The family returned to Bloomington, Minnesota in 2009. Above all, Rachel was devoted to the Church and to her vocation as a wife and mother. She built her home around a deep love of God and a steadfast Catholic faith. Her greatest joy was her family, and she poured herself into nurturing, guiding, and loving them. She spoke with each of her children daily, whether in person or by phone, and delighted in helping them in both the ordinary moments and life's greatest milestones. Whether coordinating trips to the cabin, vacations to Miami Beach, or "simply" preparing dinner for 10+ to enjoy by the pool, Rachel brought the family together with joy. Rachel was a dedicated sister and aunt to her nephews and nieces, always ready to answer a call, offer a listening ear or advice, and drop everything to help whenever needed. Rachel also delighted in the simple joys of life: attending daily Mass, sharing morning coffee with her daughters, running errands with her children, and reading Fr. Frederick Faber's books. Rachel was a member of Nativity of Mary Catholic Church, and volunteered her time coordinating funeral luncheons and coffee and donuts after Sunday morning Masses. In the days following her cancer diagnosis, Rachel proclaimed that "the most important thing we can do is cheerfully accept the will of God." Rachel was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Janet Thurner. She is survived by her husband, Mike Grondahl; her children, Emily (Joey) Helms, Katie (Cory) Lymburner, Jack Grondahl (fiancé Chelsea), Lucy Grondahl (fiancé Sanjay), and Liza Grondahl; her siblings, Charles (Becky) Thurner, Stephanie (Rodd) Thurner, Maria Jacquet, and Lucinda (Michael) Laporte; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and extended family members. A visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on 2026-08-13 at Washburn McReavy Bloomington Chapel, 2300 W Old Shakopee Road. A second visitation will be held on Friday, August 14, at 10:00 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM on 2026-08-14 at Nativity of Mary Catholic Church, 9900 Lyndale Ave. S. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Nativity of Mary School Scholarship Fund.

Rachel Philomena Grondahl

November 2, 1964 - August 3, 2026

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