West Point, CA…Grete Morales passed away on Monday, November 29, 2021, at the age of 83. Grete had lived for nearly seven years in the skilled nursing facility at Spring Lake Village in Santa Rosa, California, where she was given care, respect, and love by the wonderful staff. She faced the merciless progression of Parkinson’s disease and dementia with the same strength of character by which she lived her life: calm stoicism, boundless curiosity about everything, and a razor-sharp wit. She died standing tall, of a heart attack while (with the expert help of her physical therapist) doing what she loved: walking.

Grete Åshild Skjønsberg was born March 21, 1938 in Romedal, Norway, the second of the ten children of Hans Skjønsberg and Oloug (Skogly) Skjønsberg. Her siblings were Kirsti, Per, Harald, Linda, Berit, Anne Lise, Helge, Else Torill, and Erik. Grete’s early family life was deeply affected by the German occupation of Norway beginning in 1940 when she was only two years old. She grew up and attended school, then worked as an archivist in Norway until emigrating to the United States in 1963 at the age of 25 to work as an au pair—first in Ohio and later on Whidbey Island, Washington. It was there she met her future husband, Louis Morales, who was in military service and stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. They married on May 6, 1967 in Idaho and Grete became a U.S. citizen two years later in Martinez, California. The couple lived happily in the San Francisco Bay Area for many years, before moving to the country home they built together in the Sierra Nevada foothills near the small town of West Point, California.

Grete loved getting to know people and would readily do favors for anyone who asked, especially friends and neighbors. She was a skilled knitter, seamstress, and cook, a gracious hostess, and had a musical laugh. She loved jazz music and Chinese food. Grete and Louis had several good dogs while living near West Point, and Grete enjoyed taking them for long walks in the beautiful rolling hills and oak woodlands.

Grete worked at many jobs over the years and was active throughout her life with Sons of Norway and other charitable organizations. Louis had a distinguished military career in the Navy. The couple had no children of their own but were both deeply family-oriented and regularly visited or hosted their parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Grete visited her family in Norway many times over the years.

Grete is survived by her brothers Per, Harald and Erik; her sisters Kirsti, Linda and Torill; many nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews; as well as her “kids” from Whidbey Island (Gretchen, Anne, David and Sarah); their kids, Grete’s “grandkids” (Lucas, Carlie, Gaela, Emrys, Little Bear, and Casey); and one “great-grandchild,” Camden. She lost her beloved husband Louis in 2008 and was predeceased by her parents, several siblings, and her in-laws.

A memorial service celebrating Grete’s life was held at the Spring Lake Village Chapel on Thursday, December 9, 2021. In gratitude for their dedication, love and care, we ask that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made “In memory of Grete Morales” to the SLV Employee Appreciation Fund, and mailed to Spring Lake Village, Attn: Accounting, 5555 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa CA 95409.