Larry Grindy

Minot

Larry Grindy, 87, Minot, died Sunday, January 11, 2026, in a Minot hospital.

Larry was born March 23, 1938 in Foothills Township of Burke County, south of Lignite, ND to Victor and Gjerdie (Hagen) Grindy. He was educated in Lignite and graduated from Lignite High School in 1956.

Larry enlisted into the US Army on November 5, 1957. For 16 months, he served in Korea as a Radio Relay and Carrier Operator. He returned to Fort Ord, California to complete the final 8 months of his enlistment. With his radio relay skills, he was assigned to prepare Squaw Valley Ski Resort for the 1960 Winter Olympics. He was honorably discharged from the US Army on November 4, 1959. He returned home to North Dakota and continued his secondary education at North Dakota State University, Minot State University and the University of Northern Arizona at Flagstaff, earning his master’s degree in education.

Larry was united in marriage to Joan Berg on August 11, 1963, in Lignite. They made their home in Berthold, ND and were blessed with a daughter and son.

Larry served as both principal and later superintendent of Berthold Public Schools for thirteen years. They made the move to Minot in 1979. During this time he maintained family farming interests in Lignite, eventually returning to school administration as the principal of Memorial Junior High School on Minot Air Force Base. He remained in this position until his retirement in 2000.

Larry was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Minot. He was also active in the Norsk Hostfest, serving as chairman of RV parking for more than 2 decades. He was actively involved in RVs, both in personal and professional capacities, to include Grindy RV Specialties. Larry and Joan enjoyed many RV excursions over the years, including several winters in Texas. Larry will be remembered for his sense of humor, kindness, and his innovative ways of approaching challenges.

Larry is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Joan Grindy, Minot; children Bruce (Rebecca Naser) Grindy, Washington, DC and Janet (Jeff) Meserve, Edmond, OK; granddaughter Kristen Meserve, Edmond, OK; siblings Wayne (Marguerite) Grindy, Tioga, ND; Lavinia (Bill) Smith of WA; and Leroy Johnson, Valley City, ND.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Janice Johnson, Connie Camandona and Doug Johnson.

Celebration of Life for Larry Grindy: 1:30pm Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at Christ Lutheran Church, Minot. To view a livestream of the service or to share memories and condolences, access www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com

Internment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot

Visitation: Monday, January 19, 2026 from 3:00pm until 5:00 pm at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials are preferred to Christ Lutheran Church.

Published by The Minot Daily News, January 16, 2026.