Alice Ganter

Blaine, MN - Alice Ganter, age 94, of Blaine, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2025. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John, and her dear son, Carl. Alice is survived by her son, Bob (Sue); her daughter, Karen; daughter-in-law, Kim; grandchildren Brian, Jonathan, Alyssa (Aaron), Lauren (Nick), and Anna; as well as six great-grandchildren: Graham, Dawson, Marryn, Will, Isaiah, and Avery. Born the only child of Hazel and Carl Hartman, Alice grew up in Fridley, where she helped her parents run their small general store. There, she quickly mastered every aspect of the family business-from pumping gas and cleaning up to selling groceries and produce. This practical, hardworking, and thrifty upbringing would serve her well throughout her life. After graduating from Columbia Heights High School, she studied at the University of Minnesota, where she earned a nursing degree. She began her career in a clinical setting but eventually found her calling as a school nurse, finishing her last years at McKinley Elementary. She retired with a school assembly that honored her many years of dedicated service. She met John at a Rural Youth event. They dated, married, and eventually built a home in Ham Lake. They became active members of Glen Cary Church, where they found a strong community of friends and fellow believers. Alice and John were a team in every sense of the word. They loved hosting Fall parties, camping, gardening, and cheering on their kids and grandkids at countless sporting events. They were also deeply involved in their church, Scouting, and the Ham Lake Senior Center. Their home was a place of projects, traditions, and faith, with God at the center of their lives. Even after the passing of John and Carl, Alice's spirit never wavered. She carried on with her trademark grit, humor, and devotion. She could be seen rolling through the hallways of Crestview in her stylish baseball cap, reading the daily newspaper. This mix of comics and obituaries showed that Alice truly knew how to keep life in balance. She enjoyed making crafts and playing games, especially Bingo. She would carefully divide her winnings into six small, netted coin pouches to give to her great-grandchildren at the next family gathering. Always one of the first to arrive for a meal with friends, she would come equipped with her supplies and her flip cards of family prayers. Her faith was as strong as she was. When life got hard, she would remind us to "take one day at a time," and that is what we learned to do. She taught us well and will be deeply missed. We look forward to rejoicing with her in heaven one day. Now, our precious Alice has gracefully set aside her rose-covered walker and stepped into the loving embrace of her Savior and Lord. Her very first task in her new assignment? Ensuring those Ganter men stay on task and, of course, on their very best behavior. Memorial Service: Saturday, November 8, at Glen Cary Lutheran Church in Ham Lake. Visitation 10:00 a.m., Funeral 11:00 a.m., luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Glen Cary Lutheran Church or an organization of your choice.