Pauline Fierstine

Pauline Augusta Gritmacker, daughter of Henry and Margaret (Ollien) Gritmacker, was born October 1, 1922, in Freeland Township, Lac qui Parle County, MN. She grew up and attended school in the area and after school, she stayed and helped out on the family farm. During WWII, Pauline worked for the Rockford Bolt Company, in Rockford, IL. On July 21, 1945, she was united in marriage to Donald E. Fierstine, at the Zaccheus Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canby, MN, by Reverend William Mohr. Pauline and Donald resided in Canby until 1950, when they moved to the Ortonville area where they lived and raised their family. After Donald died on October 3, 1978, Pauline continued to reside in Ortonville, until moving to Wabasso in 2003, where she lived at the Golden Living Center until the time of her death.



Pauline enjoyed baking, embroidery and doing volunteer work for Northridge Residence and for First English Lutheran Church. She was a long-time active member of the First English Lutheran Church, and she was an Ortonville VFW Auxiliary member.



Pauline is survived by her son Jim and Shari Fierstine of Wood Lake, MN; one brother, Harold and Violet Gritmacker of Madison, MN; five grandchildren, Douglas Wiley of St. Paul, MN, and Dayna Wiley of Marshall, MN, Misty and Wayne Haak of Wood Lake, MN, Jeff and Jackie Peterson of Coon Rapids, MN, Melissa and Jeremy Brandsted of Sacred Heart, MN; nine great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband; parents; daughter, Dorothy Wiley; sister, Katherine Dudden and brother, Arnold Gritmacker.