Kenneth Griswold

Kenneth P. Griswold, a former St. Paul attorney and prominent community leader, passed away at age 91 on October 14, 2009, in Pine River, MN. Mr. Griswold was a WWII veteran, a civic visionary whose activities ranged from local politics to participation in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's and ‘70's. He maintained an active family law practice for 40 years, and then came out of retirement in 2000 to practice law in the Brainerd Lakes Area until the age of 89. Among his accomplishments were his efforts towards affordable public housing; groundbreaking anti-discrimination cases, and most recently, writing his memoirs. His love of history, books, intellectual conversation and the law was balanced by his passion for sailing, snowmobiling, the Minnesota Gophers and the Twins, who have now lost a devoted fan. He had a full life of hard work and service to others, but he also enjoyed many travel adventures with his beloved wife of 60 years, Florine. He is preceded in death by his wife, and his son, Michael. He is survived by his daughter, Susan Cook (Alan) of Auburn, AL; his grandchildren, Lucas Jensen of Athens, GA, and Elise Jensen of Tallahassee, FL; nephews, Richard Collins of S. St. Paul and Stuart Collins of Burnsville, MN; and dear friends and caregivers Tim and Gaylynn Caouette of Pine River, MN.

A memorial service will be held at Kline Funeral Home, Pine River, on October 23, 2009 at 7 PM. An additional memorial and celebration of Ken's life will be held at 4 PM on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, at Liberty Plaza Community Center, 290 Arundel St. in St. Paul, MN.

In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to donate to a favorite animal shelter, the Pine River Public Library or Minnesota Public Television.