Quentin F. Grittner

Quentin Floyd Grittner passed away suddenly on January 22, 2023, at his home in Roseau, MN at the age of 85.

Quentin was born in Greenbush, MN on October 25, 1938, the third of eleven children born to John and Elizabeth (Anderson) Grittner. He was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic faith. Quentin grew up in Roseau and graduated from Roseau High School in 1958.

On July 18, 1959, Quentin married Emilie (Pooky) Miller at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Roseau. Together they raised three children; Tim, Deb, and Tammy.

With a strong work ethic in hand, Quentin ventured off to find work. First at the milk plant and then the tire shop, before heading out to the iron range.

Quentin's interests and talents were as vast and varied as the work and occupations that he enjoyed.

Quentin and Pooky were a team. She was his wife, business partner, and best friend. They were never afraid to take on a project or seek out a new opportunity or adventure. Rarely did he find it necessary to finish one project before starting another. In their forty-four years together, they built a family, home, and several businesses with optimism, forward-thinking, and a lot of hard work. Pooky had a way of keeping everything in check, including Quentin. They enjoyed life, their accomplishments, and the friends that they made along the way.

Much of Quentin's education and expertise was gained through life experiences. However, in a time when it was not common for a man to do women's hair, Quentin took a leap of faith and attended cosmetology school in Minneapolis. During his family's approximate 10 years in the Twin Cities, he worked as a hairdresser, eventually owning and operating the original Golden Shears, Inc.

With a move back to northern MN, came a new endeavor for Quentin's family with the purchase of Springsteel Resort. New interests and activities arose from this opportunity, but the entrepreneurs were itching to start another business. So, in 1973 they bought the old Sears store in downtown Roseau and opened the new Golden Shears Salon.

A few years later, another business proposition arose and Quentin went into trucking with Rick Hetteen. The R & Q logo on the sides of construction equipment soon became a common site. Many years later after selling his half of the business to Rick, "Q" continued to work with R & Q under his own logo.

Quentin was a busy man. He also raised cattle and eventually went into the turkey business. Raising turkeys for many years.

Although he loved to work, he also loved to make memories with his family and found time to have fun.  He always looked forward to family get-togethers and trips with the kids.

Quentin was fun-spirited and silently generous. Many family members were invited into their home to live when they needed help. Family and neighbors were asked to join them for holidays when they didn't have a place to go. He would quietly slip the kids a little cash and he conveniently gave his girl's land, on each side of him to build their homes, so that they would always be close.

Quentin lost his soulmate and beloved wife, Pooky, in 2003. Although the hole in his life left a devastating void, he did not lose his childlike spirit for life and love for others around him.

Quentin loved the sunshine and outdoors. He was excited in the spring to get out into his greenhouse and garden and loved to show his flowers to anyone who came into his yard. He looked forward to daily trips with his golf cart, to Pooky's back 40, to water the deer and check his trail cameras.

He always had an entertaining story to tell or something to say. Most of the time with a bit of exaggeration.  He liked to share advice and life skills. His wit and laugh were memorable.

He was a lifelong learner. With the newest version of the iPhone, he was always up to date on current events. He would utilize his Star and Tribune App to catch up on the news, sports, and other interesting things to expand his knowledge. He read every National Geographic for the last 50 years or longer and if no one knew the answer to a question he would say, "I'll just google it".

Quentin was a member of the Northern Pride Turkey Growers Association, Sacred Heart Knights of Columbus, and the Roseau Hospital Board of Directors. He had his US Coast Guard launch license and at one time took classes to become a pilot. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, feeding the birds, and watching football.

People who would drive by the Turkey Trot Golf Course in Malung during the summer would most likely see Q in his happy place. On his lawn mower with his headband and cut-off blue jeans, soaking up all the goodness that God had blessed him with.

Quentin was survived by his children: Tim (Sherry) Grittner; Orono, MN, Deb (Keith) Haugen; Roseau, MN and Tammy (Robb) Johnson; Roseau, MN. He is also survived by his siblings: Carol (Don) Plouff, Gloria Grittner, JoAnne Lewis, Bill Ward, Mary (Bill) Luithly, Mark (Cindy) Grittner, Terry (Maricela) Grittner, Joan Johnson, Jon (Vivian) Miller, Mary Farr, and many nieces and nephews. Also survived by grandchildren: Sara (Chris) Lee, Joe Haugen, Hailey (Tommy) Leikas, Adam Dougherty, Simone Grittner, Dylan, Nicholas and Emilie Johnson. Great grandchildren: Jordyn and Carter Ziegler, Grayson and Haven Haugen, and his special friend Barb Roseen.

Quentin was preceded in death by his wife, Emilie (Pooky) Grittner. Parents: John Grittner and Elizabeth and Norman Skime, mother and father-in-law Albin and Irene Miller. Sister and brother-in-law Shirley and James Crandall, brother-in-law Wayne Lewis, sister Diane Ward, brother Gary Grittner, sister Betty Grittner, brother-in-law Carl Johnson, brother-in-law David Farr. Nieces and nephews: James Crandall, Gabriel Dunrud, Thomas Turner, Desiree Dworshack, Tristan Grittner, Jessica Grittner, Mac Moore, Lisa Miller, Chad Martinson, and William Luithly.

A Memorial Service for Quentin F. Grittner of Roseau, MN will be held on Monday, January 29, 2024 at 11:00AM with a visitation an hour prior at Helgeson Funeral Home in Roseau. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 28, 2024 from 5-7PM with a prayer service at 7PM at Helgeson Funeral Home in Roseau. Interment will take place at Malung Cemetery at a later date.

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