Alyson Grupp, beloved mother of Elena, Andy, Theresa, Storm, Maire, and Robin, passed away at Saint Luke’s Hospital on the morning of Wednesday, January 19, 2011. She was 53.

Her funeral service will be held at Morningside Lutheran Church on Tuesday, January 25th, 2011, at 10:30 am. Her family requests that those who attend please wear brightly colored clothing, as the service will be a celebration of her life and Alyson loved beautiful colors. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Morningside Lutheran Church on Monday, January 24th, 2011 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm; with a prayer service at 7:00 pm. Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service. Online condolences may be sent to www.waterburyfuneralserviceinc.com.

Alyson, born Nancy Alyson Ward in Ft. Worth, Texas, on March 9th, 1957, was a graduate of Minnetonka High School in Minnetonka, Minnesota and attended the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis as well as Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she earned a degree in Biblical Studies. Alyson was an active member of Morningside Lutheran Church, where she was known as a wise, warm-hearted woman who loved God deeply.

Alyson was preceded in death by her father, Neill Thompson Ward, and her brother, Scott Ward. She is survived by her six children, her daughter-in-law Lacey Grupp, her grandson Xander Austin Grupp, her son-in-law Brian Kissee and his children Haylee and Nathan. She is survived also by her mother, Nancy Ward; her sister Susan Sernau and husband Scott and their children Sierra, Luke, and Anna; her sister Tara Ward and husband Mark Mitchell and their children Madelaine, Noah, and Caleb; as well as her brothers, Tom and Ryan Ward.

A memorial fund has been set up at Liberty National Bank.