Michael Grand

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, August 6, 2026 at the Evangelical Free Church in Embarrass with Pastor Marlin Bjornrud officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are by the Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorials be made to Evangelical Free Church of Embarrass, MN or Bluewater Covenant Bible Camp.

Michael Harvey Grand, 67, of Aurora passed away at home surrounded by his wife and family on Thursday, July 30, 2026 as a result of Stage IV bladder cancer. When Mike’s inspirational battle with cancer ended, the Lord carried him to heaven. He is healed.

Mike was born on December 19, 1958 to Vernon and Eileen (Johnson) Grand in Roseau, MN. He was the fifth and youngest sibling. Mike played in the woods riding dirt bikes and snowmobiles, and developed a love for aviation during his youth in Roseau. He became a talented mechanic by tinkering with small engines. In high school, Mike ran track and cross country. He also sang with the choir. The family was active in the Roseau Covenant church and Mike often sang with members of his family. Mike attended Bible camp many summers.

After high school, Mike went to tech school for avionics and worked in the airline industry. Mike and his first wife, Peggy Horntvedt, welcomed two children, Ariel and Sean. Though their marriage later ended, they shared many years raising their family. In 2006, Mike married Lori Shaffer, with whom he shared 20 happy years of marriage. Together they enjoyed traveling, spending time at the lake, and gathering with family and friends. Mike’s work career included time with Republic and Northwest Airlines, driving a semi-truck for Monson Trucking, and most recently with the Office of Electronics Communications for MNDOT. This job allowed him to transfer to the Virginia, MN shop and he and Lori moved to the lake in Aurora. He retired from MNDOT after more than twenty years and enjoyed having the time to relax and spend more time at the family Canadian cabin.

Mike is survived by his wife, Lori; his children, Ariel (Lars) Okstad, Sean (Jacque) Grand; Lori’s children, Norah (Derek) Laven, Nicole Groshens and her partner Cory; six

grandchildren; siblings: Georgia Halvorson, Susan (John) Halvorson, Rebecca (Gary) Elias and Douglas (Mary) Grand; mother of his children, Peggy Grand; as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.