Arden Granger
Arden Granger, age 93 of Morris, Minnesota, passed away Saturday, November 22, 2025.
Celebration of life for Arden Granger will be held Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the LaFave House, 305 College Avenue, Morris, MN, from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. with a program at 2:00 p.m.
Arden bequeathed her body to the University of Minnesota Medical School to aid in research. There will be no funeral.
Arden Hill Granger was born December 13, 1931, in St. Paul, MN, to Jeanne (Engelke) and Elmo Hill. In 1946 the family moved to Brainerd where Arden graduated from Washington High School in 1949. She attended Macalester College in St. Paul, graduating with a B.A. in journalism. She met Steve Granger at the beginning of her freshman year and they were married in 1953 three days after graduation.
After two years as editor of the state trucking association publication, Arden spent three years as editor of the Minneapolis Athletic Club magazine. In 1958 the couple made their home in St. Cloud where Steve was a psychologist at the VA Hospital. In 1960 they moved to Morris where Arden spent the rest of her life, with Steve, in the establishment of the University of Minnesota-Morris and its growth, success, and many activities. She served as UMM’s first public relations director and returned to campus in later years as special events coordinator and as staff support during UMM chancellor searches.
In 1959 Arden and Steve bought property on Mille Lacs Lake where, with the help of friends, they built a cabin they enjoyed for decades.
Arden was always active. As a volunteer she helped start the first UMM Artists series, faculty wives’ group, and UMM Retirees Association. She was a member of the American Association of University Women, volunteered for Red Cross blood drives, and served as a Girl Scout leader. She later enjoyed volunteering at the federal Wetland Management District in Morris.
Arden loved to fly small planes, earning her pilot’s license in 1976 and instrument rating in 1978. She served 20 years as treasurer of the Morris-Hancock Flying Club. She loved the outdoors and enjoyed gardening, hunting, hiking, reading, playing bridge, and long driving trips. Eventually Steve and Arden traded flying for vacationing in their Winnebago with many trips through the western states and Alaska.
Arden is survived by her daughters: Susan (Scott Kelly) of Morris, MN, Sarah of Morris, MN; her son: Daniel (Ruth) of Spicer, MN; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; her brother: Jack (Marilyn) Hill, San Diego, California; sister: Jeanne (Robert) Grant, Hayden Lake, Idaho; and three nephews and a niece.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and a nephew.
Memorials are preferred to the University of Minnesota Morris Stephen G. and Arden H. Granger Memorial Scholarship https://makingagift.umn.edu/give/fund.html?id=23417 or to Scandia Woods Environmental Learning Lab (SWELL) in Morris.
