Desiree (Smuk) Grigsby, 61, dies

Desiree (Smuk) Grigsby, 61, passed away peacefully on Sept. 1, 2018 in New Hope, Minnesota after a year-long fight with cancer. Desiree was born in Ely, MN on March 28, 1957 to William Stanley and Gloria (Bianchi) Smuk.
Desiree was baptized and confirmed in St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely. Wherever Desiree moved she sought out her Catholic faith.
Desiree graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1975 and went on to receive her degree in business. She worked at Salerno Land Sales for many years, and as a closing specialist at Arrowhead Abstract and Northeast Title. She spent many years as an office manager, then as an Executive Legal Secretary at Defenbaugh Law Office in Ely.
She enjoyed reading, biking, walking and being outdoors. Recently she learned how to kayak from her good friend JoAnn Moats Bilben and loved it. Desiree enjoyed live Blues music and would attend many performances with her friend Iris Hodges and met many great performers.
She is survived by her son Kenneth Grigsby of Kansas City, KS; her mother, Gloria Smuk of Ely; siblings: Chris (Bob) Tournat of Ely, Mark Smuk of Ely, Julia Smuk of San Antonio, TX; and many cousins, aunts and uncles.
She was preceded in death by her husband Michael Rodney Grigsby, father William Stanley Smuk, sister Kathleen (Smuk) Stevenson and several cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents.
Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018 at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely. Inurnment to follow at the Ely Cemetery. Join the family for coffee and sweets at the Ely Steak House for visitation.