Landis Gryte

Landis Elmer Gryte, 87, of Otsego, Minnesota, passed away on November 3, 2026. Born January 17, 1939, in Hoople, North Dakota, Landis graduated from Central High School in Grand Forks, North Dakota. In his boyhood he lived for a few years on the Mississippi River in Bemidji, and at the end of his life he looked out at the Mississippi from his window at Guardian Angels Riverview Landing. He lived in Hoople, Grand Forks, Bemidji, Freeport (IL), Brainerd, Pequot Lakes, and Otsego, and enjoyed multiple winters in Titusville and Bonita Springs, Florida.

 He fell in love with his wife Alice the first time he saw her face in 1956 at a 4-H softball game; they were married in 1961 and shared 65 years together. He worked for the MN Department of Transportation for 35 years. He enjoyed hunting with his brothers-in-law Chuck and Ken, fishing with his brother Scott and family in Canada and with family and friends on Big Lake. Landis also enjoyed golfing, watching sports on TV (especially the Twins, Vikings and North Stars), playing guitar for family and friends, and watching shuttle launches in Titusville. He also led worship at Pine River Assembly Church for many years and was widely regarded as the best Trivial Pursuit player in history, thanks to a head full of useless knowledge.

 When asked to name his greatest life accomplishments, Landis would say, "my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren." He is survived by his wife, Alice (Conway); daughters Sue Burnard and Annie Raatz (Dave); sons David Gryte (Lynn) and Joe Gryte (Jen); grandchildren Jayme (Sarah), Justin (Anna), Caitie, Michael (Marisa), Nathan, Megan (Daniel), Jared, Tommy, Ashten, Allie, Kenzie, and Jack; and great-grandchildren Mallory, Ellie, Hailey, Avery, Eli, Esme, Sammy, Emmie, London, Jacob, Vinny, Davie, and Rocco. He is also survived by his sisters June (Gryte) Klongerbo and Charlotte (Gryte) Kaiser, and many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Elmer Gryte, his mother Mel Gryte, his brother Scott Rafnson, and his sister Myrna (Gryte Hoop) Conway.

 An open house and service will be held on Monday, November 16th from 11am to 2pm (service at 1pm) at Brenny-Kline Family Funeral Chapel in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota.