Jonette Louise (Gronlid) Aarstad

Jonette Louise Gronlid Aarstad passed away on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at Heart to Heart Hospice in Evansville. She was 94 years old.

Jonette was born March 12 1930 in Lytten, Iowa, to the late Pastor and Mrs. Isak and Naomi Gronlid (formerly Naomi Nelson). Jonette received the BSA from St. Olaf College in 1951 with a major in English. At St. Olaf, she met Arthur Aarstad, class of ’49, whom she married in 1955 in a service officiated by her father. During Arthur’s military service, she taught in public schools.

Jonette and Arthur moved to Evansville in the fall of 1958 when Arthur began teaching at University of Evansville. During that time, Jonette completed an MLS degree from Indiana University. She worked as a reference librarian for the Evansville Public Library and University of Evansville until her retirement in 1995.

Other events of importance to Jonette during her life were two semesters at Harlaxton, six months living in Switzerland while Arthur conducted research for his IU dissertation at the UN Palais. The Geneva stay was followed by a trip to Norway for “a wonderful visit with Arthur’s relatives.”

Jonette and Arthur returned to Norway to celebrate their 50th anniversary. While there, they visited Utvandringsmuseum near Hamar where a church from a southern Minnesota parish once served by her father has been, in Jonette’s words, “beautifully restored.”

During her retirement, Jonette enjoyed reading literary biographies, watching Jeopardy!, and spending time with her son, Jon. Jonette was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.

Jonette was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her sister, Ruth.

She is survived by her sons Jon, of Evansville, and Paul (Maria) of Bloomington.

 Boone Funeral Home East Chapel – A Family Tradition Funeral Home, 5330 Washington Avenue, Evansville, IN, is handling the arrangements and is honored to serve the family of Jonette Aarstad.. Condolences may be made to the family online at boonefuneralhome.net

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