Jean Marie Gryte

Jean Marie Gryte, 89, of Mayville, ND, passed away in her home on March 30, 2026, following a hard-fought battle with cancer. She had been living at Sun Center in Mayville and was blessed with the support of long time friends who also lived there, along with her beloved husband, Neil Gryte, who never left her side and cared for her tenderly until her final breath.

Jean was born on February 2, 1937, in Mankato, MN, to Fern and Harold Njaa. She moved from Mankado to Northwood, ND, at the age of six and loved sharing stories of her childhood with her older brother, Ross, and her twin brother, Jack. Her school years were filled with theatre productions, cheerleading, and making priceless memories with lifelong friends. She had some stories! She and her twin brother were inseparable and since his earlier passing, she often talked about her excited anticipation of their heavenly reunion.

Jean had a lifelong love of ice skating, often spending hours each winter day on the rink just across from her childhood home. Her passion never faded, and she always looked forward to watching skating shows and competitions. In later years, she continued enjoying the outdoors through cross-country skiing along the river and on the Mayville golf course.

Jean attended college at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks before moving to Mayville, ND, where she met the love of her life, Neil, who had also recently moved to town to start a Ben Franklin store. The two of them shared a beautiful life together with their two children, Mark and Heidi. Weekends, and later full summers, were spent at their cherished lake home in Minnesota, while winters were enjoyed at their home in Arizona. In Mayville, Jean filled her days swimming early each morning with friends, sharing coffee at Paula’s Cafe, golfing, preparing delicious meals for family, and playing Canasta late into the evening with her dear friend Elaine.

Jean found joy in planting vibrant flowers both at the lake and in Mayville, where she spent years tending her expansive garden. She filled shelves with delicious homemade canned goods—while her garden also became beautiful smorgasbord for the resident deer. She loved decorating her home, especially during the holidays, filling every space with warmth and joy. Summers were a treasured time, as she joyfully prepared weeks in advance for visits from her children and grandchildren. She always made sure her famous cookies were ready upon arrival, with more batches quickly following as they disappeared…often with the enthusiastic help of her grandchildren.

Jean will be remembered for her infectious positivity, joyful laugh, kind heart, generosity, and incredible musical talent across many instruments. In recent years, she could often be heard beautifully singing and playing one of her many ukuleles - her collection always had room for one more. She enjoyed the singing of hymns and other songs with friends at Sun Center.

Jean had a love for fashion, purses, makeup and jewelry and had no less than 50 pairs of white jeans in her closet. Neil spent countless hours patiently waiting on benches in malls while Jean shopped for her favorite items…always including yet one more pair of white jeans.

In her later years, Jean found deep joy in reconnecting with friends - many of whom shared life’s journey with her from raising families in Mayville, to summers in Detroit Lakes, MN, and winters in Arizona. She had a tender heart for children, animals, and those in need. At the lake, she fed ducks, bunnies, and geese - each lovingly named - who would eat from her hand all summer long. Heading south in the fall was bittersweet as she said goodbye to her furry and feathered friends. Once in Arizona, Jean would consistently go out of her way to take care of homeless folks, building meaningful relationships and providing essentials and goodies every week. They counted on her and she never let them down. She also continued her passion for swimming every morning all winter long, right up until 2025 when she was diagnosed. She was a loving hearted woman of strength and determination, a quality being present in all aspects of her life till the day she met her Lord and Savior. Jean was a devoted sister, aunt, wife, friend, mother and grandmother throughout her life. She will be missed and forever treasured.

Jean is lovingly survived by her husband, Neil Gryte, Mayville, ND; her brother, Ross Njaa, Salinas, CA; her children, Mark (Anna) Gryte, Sun Lakes, AZ, and Heidi (Erik) Fedor, Lafayette, CO; her nephews, Buff (Barb) Njaa, Nikiski, AK; Sheldon (Pam) Njaa, Salinas, CA; and Lance Njaa, Tucson, AZ; her grandchildren, Sara (Charlie) Farmer, Yuma, AZ; Kendra Gryte, Yuma, AZ; Ashley (Bjorn) Jacobson, Camas, WA; Anika Fedor, Boulder, CO; and Toren Fedor, Lafayette, CO; and her great grandchildren, Grace Farmer, Peoria, AZ; Mark Farmer, Yuma, AZ; Jax Payne, Chandler, AZ; Karolina Jacobson, Camas, WA; and Henrik Jacobson, Camas, WA.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2pm on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at Luther Memorial Home and Sun Center of Mayville, ND. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.