Calvin ‘Cal’ D. Grisé Jr., 88
Calvin “Cal” D. Grisé Jr., 88, of Columbia Falls, passed away May 20, 2024. He was born Dec. 19, 1935, the second of five children, to Calvin and Genevieve Grisé, in Wells, Minnesota.
Cal grew up on the family farm in Stanchfield, Minnesota, and graduated from North Branch High School in 1954. Soon after, he saw a want ad for workers at Montana’s Glacier National Park. He took a chance and traveled there with his buddies, where he found work at the Many Glacier Hotel as a “house boy” cleaning rooms. Cal soon met the love of his life, Kathy Muskat, (70 years ago) who also had just arrived at Glacier Park from Wisconsin. They married in 1956 and began their life together in Minnesota with seven children arriving over the next years. Here Cal worked as a skilled carpenter, installing and finishing hardwood floors for new home construction and he also ran their family farm with his kids tagging along his side. In 1973, they left their family home in Minnesota and fulfilled their dream of moving back to where they fell in love. They happily settled their family in Columbia Falls where their eighth child would soon arrive. Here, Cal worked at the Plum Creek MDF plant for six years and then, with Kathy and the kid’s help, they operated Cal and Kathy’s Carwash and The Green Thumb Nursery for 25 years.
Cal was grounded in his faith. Very early in their 67-year marriage, Cal and Kathy attended a rally by Fr. Patrick Peyton, who coined the phrase “the family that prays together, stays together.” Also, the priest who married them said, “If you pray the Rosary together each day, there’s never a problem you can’t solve.” These messages inspired Cal and Kathy to commit to saying the Rosary every day, and they prayed it without fail for the entirety of their marriage. He continued this tradition, after Kathy’s passing, through his very last day. As a proud charter member of the local Knights of Columbus, he faithfully led the praying of the Rosary for over 40 years, every Saturday at St. Richard’s Parish. His hard work and long-term commitment to the Knights earned him a prestigious “Knight of the Year” award in 1981, which he cherished, and fully attributed this honor to the help of his close friend Terry Werner.
Cal loved his family and friends, and especially enjoyed visits from his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who affectionately called him “Ompa.” He excelled as a volunteer for the Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce for 33 years, and in 2013 won the Community Spirit Award! Cal enjoyed road trips to the Park, a lucky Keno machine at Ferk’s or The Game Keeper, playing cards, including a good game of “Kathy-nochle” with the kids. He loved music from the '50s, especially songs performed by his Uncle Tony Grisé, and he always had a quick joke for you, “Would you guys like to hear a clean joke … or a really good joke?” Cal loved being around people, and always welcomed everyone with open arms and a huge smile. He really enjoyed his life. He loved the Lord, he loved Kathy and his family, and if you were lucky enough to be his close friends, he loved you too!
Cal is survived by his children: Kevin Grisé (Jenny), Kim Keil (Jeff), Perry Grisé, Teresa Thompson (Jim), Marie Birky (Mike), Colleen Konopatzke (Steve), Paul Grisé, and Monte Grisé (Tiana); 19 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and his sister Joan; brothers Jack, Don (Marlo) and Tom (Diane) and numerous nieces and nephews.
Cal is preceded in death by his loving wife Kathy; grandsons Kyle Konopatzke and Braydon Birky; grandson-in-law, Tony Harrah and stepgrandson, Jaiden Pick.
An evening Rosary vigil for Cal Grisé will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at Columbia Mortuary, 1010 Fourth Ave. W., Columbia Falls, MT 59912. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 3, 2024, at St. Richard’s Catholic Church, 1210 Ninth St. W., Columbia Falls, MT 59912. Interment to follow at St. Richard’s Cemetery. To send online condolences, please visit www.columbiamortuary.com.
Calvin “Cal” D. Grisé Jr.