BY TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
On Feb. 1, 1998, Robin Grenfell began working for Trinity Lutheran School in Merrill as the school’s Secretary. Now, nearly 26 years later, Robin is on the verge of completing her 25th year of working with Trinity and starting her 26th. Today she works as the Administrative Assistant at Trinity Merrill Lutheran Church, a role she assumed seven years ago. In between, Robin has also helped with the Trinity Youth program, started the Kids For Christ Youth Group for younger students, became the Youth Director for Trinity, and started Trinity School’s After School Care Program. She is well known by many area children and adults for her active involvement in so many aspects of the school and church over the years.
“Robin Grenfell is the cheerful face that greets you when you step into the office at Trinity Merrill Lutheran Church,” said Britnee Hartwig, Director of Communications for Trinity Merrill Lutheran Churchan and School.
“Trinity would like to truly thank Robin for her commitment as an employee for the past 25 years, for her dedication to Trinity for all her life, and for her commitment to working in God’s Kingdom for His Glory,” she said.
“Robin takes pride in her job and enjoys what she does at Trinity in all facets,” Hartwig said. “Along with working with congregational members in many capacities, creating the weekly bulletins and monthly newsletters, providing assistance for funerals, weddings, and baptisms, and everything else she does to keep the church afloat, Robin is also always there to listen, encourage, and give a hug.”
“Being that I am a lifelong member, I know most of our members and am excited to meet and get to know our newest members, too,” Grenfell said.
“I don’t look at my ‘job’ at Trinity as a job,” she said. “I take pride and enjoy what I do at Trinity in all of the facets that I have had here …the church office is a bustling place all year long. I’ve had the privilege to assist and work with some of the most wonderful people through my years at Trinity.”
Baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church, Grenfell attended church there with her family throughout her childhoold and also attended Trinity Lutheran School for all eight grades. “This past summer I helped to organize a 45th reunion with my past eighth grade classmates from Trinity School,” Grenfell said. “We are still like one big family after 45 years.”
She was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church and then married her husband, Rich, at Trinity in 1983. They now have two children who also were baptized and confirmed at Trinity and went through Trinity School. “Our son Ross and his wife, Lisa, live in Thiensville, Wis., and have given us two beautiful granddaughters, Evelyn and Leona. Our daughter, Raena, married Zach Grisa at Trinity and are members of Trinity. Raena and Zach have two children, Mira and Grayden, who are baptized members of Trinity and attend Trinity School,” Grenfell said. “They bring us so much joy. Our greatest happiness comes from our time with our grandchildren.”
“When I am not in the church office, I love spending time with my family,” she said. “My family is most important behind my God.”
“I love my time with my husband, Rich. Together we love to travel, especially by car so we can talk, laugh, and reminisce,” Grenfell said. “We also love to eat – you might say we are ‘foodies,’ we love to take side-by-side rides, and spend time at our lake cottage and time at our cabin in the woods.”
“God has truly blessed me with a wonderful life,” she said. “If I had to set a goal for myself, it would be to always be kind and loving to everyone who passes through my life.”
“You can make a difference in someone’s life by just being kind,” Grenfell said. “Always try to smile. It makes you feel better, along with brightening up the day for those that you meet.”