The late Gabe Grunewald will be remembered Monday in a traditional way, with a funeral at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis. The memory of the beloved local runner will be honored in a unique manner, too: with a 1-mile run on the day she is laid to rest.
Justin Grunewald, Gabe's husband, announced the plans for Gabe's services Thursday on Instagram. There will be visitation Sunday from 2-5 p.m. at Washburn-McReavy Hillside Chapel in northeast Minneapolis, on the grounds of Hillside Cemetery. A second visitation will be held from 10 a.m.-noon on Monday at the Basilica, with the funeral mass beginning at noon.
Following the funeral, family members and close friends will attend the burial at Hillside Cemetery. During that time, others are invited to change into their running gear. After the burial, the family will join them at the cemetery's bike path to honor Gabe with a walk, jog or run.
Gabe Grunewald died Tuesday after a 10-year fight against a rare cancer. A Perham native and former Gopher, she continued her successful college and pro running career during multiple surgeries and treatments. Her perseverance and grace in the face of a terminal illness earned admiration from thousands of fellow runners and fans.
After Justin Grunewald announced the plans, people from around the country and the world — including Texas, California and The Netherlands — said via Instagram that they planned to join the memorial run remotely, taking to the streets in their own cities and towns to run in tribute to Gabe.
