Formerly of Fremont, Died Sunday, January 24, 2016
Christen Joseph Grorud was born January 4, 1979 in St. Paul Minnesota to Mark and Caryl (Christensen) Grorud. He was baptized as a Child of God on January 28, 1979. Chris grew up in Fremont, Nebraska, was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at First Lutheran Church and graduated from Fremont High School as a class valedictorian in 1997. Chris excelled at debate and running track and cross-country in high school.
Chris received his B.A. in Religion and Philosophy from St. Olaf College in Northfield MN, a M.A. in Southeast Asia Studies from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, a M.A. from the University of Washington, Seattle in History and did significant advanced work toward his doctoral studies in Indonesian politics and history at the University of Washington.
Indonesian studies and culture were Chris' passion. He spent significant amounts of time over the past 15 years studying, researching, teaching and working in Indonesia.
Chris was a member of Saint Michael Lutheran Church in Omaha.
Chris loved life. He had a deep and abiding interest in caring for those forgotten or neglected by society. He made friends easily and had many, many friends in locations around the world. His wit, his humor and his brilliant mind captured the hearts of all he met. He was deeply loved.
Chris died in his sleep of natural causes on January 24, 2016 in Jakarta, Indonesia at the age of 37 years. He is survived by his parents, Rev. Mark and Caryl Grorud of Fremont, Nebraska; sister and brother-in-law Marit and Mark Sullivan of Hudson, Wisconsin; three nephews, Paul Robert, Andrew Max and Thomas Arthur Sullivan of Hudson; other relatives and many, many friends. Chris is preceded in death by his grandparents, Rev. Arthur and Minnie Grorud and Max and Marjorie Christensen.
Graveside services will be 10am Tuesday at Memorial Cemetery in Fremont with a service celebrating Chris' life and the promise of God's grace and love to follow at 11am Tuesday at First Lutheran Church in Fremont. The family will be present from 5pm to 8pm Monday at Ludvigsen Mortuary in Fremont to receive friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the family and will be used to establish the Christen J. Grorud Endowed Memorial Fund for Student Support at the Southeast Asia Center of the Jackson School for International Studies at the University of Washington in Seattle. If you wish to give a gift directly to remember Chris you can find his memorial fund online at giving.uw.edu/grorud. Thank you for sharing in his memory in this way.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Condolences(20)
LEONARD & CAROL NIELSEN
FREMONT, NE Monday, February 8, 2016 Mark & Caryl and family,It been along time since we seen each other, so sorry to hear of the loss of your son. May God be a constant comfort to you in the coming weeks and month and give you peace.
In Christ Now and Forever,
Leonard & Carol Nielsen
Matt and Emily Ridder
Fremont, NE Monday, February 8, 2016 Dear Caryl and Pastor Mark~We are deeply sorry for the loss of your son. Know that we are keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers. May God give you comfort, strength, and peace in the days ahead.
Love,
Matt and Emily Ridder
Linda and Bob Betkie
Fremont, NE Monday, February 8, 2016 Pastor Mark, Caryl and family,There are no words to ease the depth of your loss. Chris was such an outstanding young man with an amazing soul. When Bob lost his brother, his Mom said through her tears, "You know you will bury your parents, you may have to bury your spouse, but you never expect to bury your child." That level of loss is incomprehensible. Know that Chris will live on through all those he touched. May God's loving arms comfort you all during this challenging time. Sincerely, Bob and Linda Betkie
Cindy Stollberg
Scribner, NE Sunday, February 7, 2016 So very sorry. Your son must have been someone very special. He must have been very proud you were his family. Know that many people care about you.Richard A Stanchfield
Maple Grove, MN Saturday, February 6, 2016 Mark and Caryl,We are truly saddened by the news of the loss of your son Christen; heartbreaking is a far to shallow word for your loss. We pray for your family, God's speed to your son as he enter's the kingdom of the Lord. I know his grandparents will be there to help guide him on his way. We offer our love and prayer's to you all.Sharon Carlson
Fremont, NE Saturday, February 6, 2016 Gary and I send our deepest sympathies for your lose. Chris was a delight to have as a 6th grader and to later watch all of his accomplishments. Our prayers are with his family and friends, Sharon and Gary CarlsonMike & Gisela Suski
Omaha, NE Friday, February 5, 2016 Praying for you and your family during this difficult time.Terry Flanagan
Fremont, NE Friday, February 5, 2016 Pastor Mark and Carol,So very sorry for the loss of your son.My thoughts and prayers are with you. May the good Lord hold you in the palm of his hand until we all meet again
Mark & Diane Schneck
Hooper, NE Thursday, February 4, 2016 Very sorry to learn the news of Chris but we rejoice in eternal life with our savior.Marti Wangerud Miller
Bozeman, MT Thursday, February 4, 2016 Dear Mark & Caryl & Marit & Familes,I cannot comprehend your saddness with the passing of your dear son. I am so sorry. Know that I keep you all in my prayers for strength and God's peace that passes all understanding. I also pray for God's healing touch upon your broken hearts. Love in Christ, Marti
Donna and Don Wright
Cheltenham, PA Thursday, February 4, 2016 So sorry to learn of his death. Praying for strength and comfort for all of you who loved him so much.Richard and Beverly Holmen
Fremont, NE Thursday, February 4, 2016 Dear Friends,Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time. May God grant you His peace which passes all understanding.
Rev. Richard and Beverly Holmen.
Karen Coragiulo
Marysville, WA Thursday, February 4, 2016 Chris sounds like an amazing person. I wish I could have had the opportunity to meet him. I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.Carol Meyer
Lincoln, NE Thursday, February 4, 2016 I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of Chris. May God Be With You All and give comfort at this sad time of your loss. Sincerely, Carol MeyerSally Anderson
Highlands Ranch, CO Wednesday, February 3, 2016 For these days and beyond, thoughts, prayers and hugs to you all! I'm so very sorry for your loss and to all those who were blest to know Chris and have him in their lives. It truly was for too short of a time.Rebecca Schaffner
Fremont, NE Wednesday, February 3, 2016 I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers are with all of you.Kenneth and Cloria Wheeler
Swansea, IL Wednesday, February 3, 2016 Mark and Caryl,We are saddened by your loss.
We are praying and know that we love you.
Georgia Felt
Fremont, NE Monday, February 1, 2016 So very sorry to hear of your loss. You both are in my thoughts and prayers.Margo Haines
Saint Francis, WI Monday, February 1, 2016 Sympathies to your family in the loss of your son. He will always be with you, but may your memories help to ease this pain and sadness. (I was a parishioner at Scandia in Centerville during your father's time there.) Peace to you.Lisa (Moll) Beck
Fremont, NE Sunday, January 31, 2016 I will always remember Chris on FLY trips, when I was the high schooler and he was a pre-K little boy, fitting in beautifully with all of us. It never surprised me that he went to Indonesia, because that seemed to always be his heart. So heavy hearted for this twist in the journey not anticipated Pastor Mark, Caryl, and Marit. My sincere condolences, and trust that God has Chris all to Himself now. Lisa Beck