Earlene Rae (Grundstrom) Lasch, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks Monday, April 6, 2015. She is now reunited in heaven with her parents Richard and Simone Grundstrom. Earlene was born on January 1, 1940, at Crookston, MN. Earlene shared many fond memories of growing up in Eagle Point Township in Marshall County, MN, along the banks of the Red River with her sisters Janice and Muriel and brothers Dallas and LaVern. She attended Eagle Point Country School through grade eight, representing Marshall County at the Minnesota State Spelling Bee Championships in 1954. Earlene went on to graduate from Stephen High School in 1958. On August 13, 1966, Earlene was united in marriage to Robert Lasch, the love of her life for the next 49 years. They made their lifetime home in Drayton, ND, where Earlene was employed by American Crystal Sugar for much of that time. Keeping family first, Earlene raised her three children Dale, Larry, and Becky to appreciate the good things in life: nature, music, homemade food, and a good book. Earlene was very active in her community. Music was an integral part of her life; any given weekend would find Earlene playing organ at St. Edward's Catholic Church for 35 years. If she didn't have the sheet music, she made it up and played away. She loved the outdoors, and no weather was unbearable for her walks or spending time in her flower gardens. When her time spent with family and church were not enough to fill the day, volunteering as an active member of the Oxcart Historical Society and Drayton Senior Center filled the void. Saturday mornings the house would be filled with the smell of fresh baked buns, cinnamon rolls, or waffles. With a soft spot in her heart for animals, Earlene made sure the birds were well fed. The neighborhood stray cats knew where to go for a quick meal, and the house was never without a dog or cat looking forward to a walk or warm lap. The focal point of Earlene's life became her grandchildren, Kasey, Gus, Mikey, and Katie. They were her pride and joy. Passing along her insatiable love to them, she would take them for walks, play games and pass along her gifts of music. When the grandkids were around, Grandma was just as young and vibrant as they were. No question was too mundane, no game was too tedious, and even a butterfly or flower had a story to tell with a walk becoming an adventure. Earlene is survived by her husband Robert Lasch, Drayton, ND; children Dale, Moorhead, MN; Larry (Elizabeth) Lasch, Wahpeton, ND; and Rebecca (Patrick) McGrath, Fargo, ND. Siblings Janice Elshaug, Grafton, ND; Muriel Thorsteinson, Grafton, ND; Dallas Grundstrom, West Fargo, ND; and LaVern (Sharon) Grundstrom, Drayton, ND, her grandchildren Kasey and Gus Lasch and Mikey and Katie McGrath as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Earlene was preceded in death by her parents Richard and Simone Grundstrom, brother-in-laws Jack Elshaug and Francis Thorsteinson and sister-in-law Paulette Grundstrom. Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, April 11th, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Edward's Catholic Church. Interment will be in St. Edward's Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Austin Funeral Chapel in Drayton on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.