Lida Greethurst

Lida Lydia Greethurst February 27, 1921 - October 13th, 2016 Age 95
Lida was born on February 27, 1921 in Wilson, MN to George and Kate ( Belter) Neitzke. Lida had many stories of living on the farm in Wilson and subsequent farms in the Lewiston area with her parents. Lida had an intense love and devotion for her father's big draft horses on the farm. Her favorite was "Pet" and she never forgot him. She would always laugh to recall walking to take her mother's eggs into town to sell. Eggs were traded for other goods, supplies and maybe a candy purchased with any left over money. Life was hard and so cold in the winter, but she loved the days when her dad would bundle her up in the sleigh and the horses would pull her to school. While an only child, and close to both her parents, Lida had a special connection with her dad George, and her stories of him were vivid. His first car, leaving the farm and selling the draft horses.....Both her parents spoke fluent German. Lida spoke none. 
Lida met the first love of her life, Bill Greethurst, at a dance and they married shortly after in 1944. Lida and Bill made their home on his family farm in Fremont, MN. Bill had lost his wife in 1935 and with Bill came a full family- George ( Lorraine) Greethurst, Donna ( Truman) Fabian and William Greethurst. In 1945, Bill and Lida welcomed their daughter Vonda. Moving to Clyde and eventually settling at the home they built in Utica. Beloved dog Snowball entered their family and Lida grew to love that dog so much. Lida and Bill loved to entertain their friends at home and their amazing parties were a huge source of joy. The growing, tight knit group of friends danced, hunted, fished and played cards; these friendships lasted until each friend passed away. Lida was the perfect host. She loved holiday gatherings for her family as well and especially excelled at games for the growing number of grandkids. Always in awe of her Jim Beam Bottle collection and the player piano downstairs, the kids loved playing her well planned games. Especially the balloon plunger game!! Vonda had one daughter, Billie Jo, and this grandchild was never to lack attention from her grandma. Lida took to being a grandma with the joy and love she did all things. Bill and Lida worked together to form and run the trucking company, Greethurst Grain Service. They were enjoying success and a growing business, when Bill died unexpectedly in 1976. With Lida's usual grit and determination, she weathered the storm, which included life insurance that would not pay up, and worked hard to keep her company going for the next few years.
Lida's life entered a new phase with the end of Greethurst Grain Service and her need to earn an income. Lida took on a job at the American Legion in St. Charles. She loved tending bar as much as her customers loved having her there. Whatever her difficulties, Lida enjoyed her friends and had a love of life that could not be squashed. This was the perfect job for her! She was having friends over to entertain each and every day she worked. That is what people felt like entering the Legion when Lida was working. You were a friend coming over to her home. It is no surprise that Lida formed more life-long friendships at the Legion. Around this time, Lida's Avon career started as well. Started as a way to provide for herself in tough times, Lida went far above expectations and became one of the top Avon sales reps in the state. Hard work, but she loved it. Another way to enjoy her friendships and provide for her friends.......What a pattern! Avon went on to be Lida's career, until Macrodegeneration took much of her eyesight by 2008.
In 1978, Lida began the relationship with the 2nd love of her life, Alexander "Sandy" Henry. This relationship would last until his death in 2013. Sandy and Lida...what a pair! Soon, they were working together at the Legion and welcoming friends to their home for more fabulous parties. The Christmas Parties, the 4th of July and everything in between. Lida and Sandy enjoyed heading to Vegas with friends each year....especially when they won big!! Heading to the local casinos was a joy to them as well. Supper clubs, dancing and visits with friends were things they loved to do together. Taking the whole family on the annual "pumpkin and apple run" was a favorite time. Both Lida and Sandy had a blast with great-grandkids, Julia and Isaac; Planting their own pumpkin patch for the kids when they were small, hiding Easter eggs and never missing a chance to give a gift, kiss or hug.
Lida is well-known for her gorgeous flowers and well-kept garden. She loved her home and kept everything, inside and out, just so. Canning (especially her famous pickles and sauerkraut) and wine-making were ways she loved to spend her time. Often you would find fresh bread baking in her oven or fresh homemade noodles hanging around the house to dry. Her long membership at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, St. Charles, MN was a joy to her. Again, a beloved dog entered the home, as Lida and Sandy took in Vonda's dog pumpkin. She loved that dog so much more than she allowed anyone to see. Lida's tough times were never on display. She always focused on the good of the day. With the loss of her long-time companion and caregiver, Sandy, Lida's health problems, stemming from a stroke, took her to live in a nursing home. Eventually, moving to Guardian Angels Care Center in Elk River to be near her granddaughter. She would love for everyone to remember her how she was.
Strong, fearless, brave, intelligent, kind, compassionate and loving.
Never afraid to take on any challenge.
The best friend anyone could ever ask for.

Lida Lydia Greethurst went to her Lord and Savior on Thursday, October 13th at Guardian Angels Care Center, Elk River, MN. Lida is survived by one daughter, Vonda (Rich) McAllister, grand-daughter Billie Jo (Steven) Bishop, Ramsey, MN and grandchildren Sandy (Jim) Leisen, Randy (Sue) Fabian, Dawn (Fran) Rainey, Mike (Karen) Greethurst, Patti (Duane) Greethurst, Gary (Jenny) Greethurst and numerous great-grandchildren. Lida was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bill; long -time companion, Sandy Henry; step- son and wife, George and Lorraine Greethurst; step-daughter and son-in law, Donna and Truman Fabian, grandchild Cheryl Greethurst and countless friends whose loss was a heart-break, but whose friendship had been one of the great blessings of her life.

Celebration of Life will be at 1pm, Sunday, November 13th, at Hoff Funeral Home in St Charles with the Rev. Samuel Morsching officiating. Visitation will be from 12-1pm, just prior to the service. Burial will be at the Hillside Cemetery, St. Charles, MN. Leave a memory of Lida, sign her online guestbook, and view her video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.