Christopher K. Grande

Christopher Kim Grande, age 70, of Golden Valley, MN, a man of profound intellect, gentle strength, and simple living, passed away at home of natural causes, on January 24, 2026.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00pm at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Parish in Colby on Monday February 9, 2026. Father Yesu Prabhu Balraj will officiate assisted by Deacon Mike Schaefer. Interment to follow at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Colby. Family and friends are welcome from 10:30am until time of service at the church. Live stream will be available for those unable to attend on the Maurina Schilling Funeral Home Facebook page or after the service anytime on Facebook or the website.

Christopher was born on July 20, 1955, the son of Duane and Corrine (Mayer) Grande in St. John's, Newfoundland. Christopher grew up in New Hope, MN where he attended school and graduated from Armstrong High School. Chris's curious mind was evident from a very young age. He was a natural creator, spending his early years building model rockets and crafting his own telescopes to explore the cosmos. This passion for discovery continued throughout his life; He also had a love for high-fidelity sound, often found immersing himself in the complexities of jazz and classical music.

Chris brought that same intensity and dedication to his sports and hobbies. He had a special talent for baseball. He was a devastating left-handed pitcher who batted right-handed. In high school he became a great skater and lover of hockey. Chris also found joy in simple pleasures: baked apple pie, the unique flavor of pistachio almond ice cream, and a slice of pizza topped with green olives.

Chris was a man of deep faith, harboring a lifelong affinity for St. Francis of Assisi. He embodied the Franciscan spirit-living simply, content in his own world, and possessing a heart for the poor. He prayed the Prayer of St. Francis every day, often sharing this quiet devotion with his brother, Steve. Those who knew him understood his true nature: strong-willed, yet profoundly meek, humble, and generous. It was this unique combination of faith and tenacity that allowed Chris to navigate the many challenges life dealt him.

Above all, Chris cherished his relationship with his brother, Steve. They possessed a bond that was inseparable. Together they navigated life, caring for one another through thick and thin.

Chris's last words of prayer with family were "Nothing is impossible for God'.

Christopher is dearly loved by his family and friends. He will be enormously missed by those he left behind: his brother Stephen Grande of Crystal, MN, his sister Deborah (Deacon Michael) Schaefer of Colby, WI, his sister Kathleen (Lorne) Rosand of Maplewood, MN, and brother Timothy (Batyah) Grande of Marshfield, WI; numerous nieces and nephews; aunts and uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother Jody Grande, sister Sharon Grande and nephew Christopher Grahn.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Chris to Operation Smile www.operationsmile.org or to Smile Train www.smiletrain.org (two of Chris's favorite charities).