Sculptor Grende leaves behind monumental legacy

The Daily Inter Lake

Artist Carol "C.A." Grende, who created the Veterans Memorial sculpture at Kalispell's Depot Park, died March 9 at a cancer center in Houston.

Grende, 53, died from pneumonia, a complication of the leukemia with which she was diagnosed in 2007.

Grende, from Big Arm, was known for her monumental sculptures, including the war memorial in Depot Park. Her sculpture depicts a combat soldier kneeling in front a comrade's hastily dug grave.

The grave is marked by the soldier's gun stuck into the ground by its bayonet; his helmet and dog tags are resting on the rifle's butt with his empty combat boots underneath.

The memorial, at 125 percent of life size, sits atop a base that includes black granite with "We will never forget!" etched on the front.

The sculpture's dedication on July 4, 2007, capped a community fundraising campaign spearheaded by Chuck Olson and Jack Heller to build a memorial to show appreciation for Flathead County servicemen and servicewomen.

Just days before the unveiling of the Kalispell sculpture, Grende learned she had a deadly form of leukemia.

Later fundraising efforts to retire the debt for the Kalispell memorial also benefitted Grende, with money going to help cover her travel and living expenses to receive treatment in Houston.

Grende first found wide acclaim through her sculptures related to the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

After she struggled for about 30 years, she began her rise to fame with the 2003 C.M. Russell Art Auction in Great Falls. Phyllis Yeager, a member of two influential Lewis and Clark organizations, took a shine to a 38-inch clay of Sacagawea that Grende displayed at the event.

Through Yeager, Grende received a commission for a 10-foot-tall monument of Lewis and Clark shaking hands titled "When they shook hands, the Lewis and Clark Expedition began."

The monumental-size sculpture was placed in Clarksville, Ind.

Another large Grende piece, "Sacagawea, Arduous Journey," is destined to have castings placed in several locations in the West.

Grende also was known for her paintings, scratchboards and other artistic work.

Grende was born on Oct. 7, 1955, in Grangeville, Idaho, to Lila and Dale Grende. She was the youngest of five children.

She is survived by her husband, David Carmona Sr., as well as many other relatives.

A celebration of her life is planned for June 27 at Big Arm.