On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, Gwendolyn "Gwen" A. Ornell, 97, of Duluth, passed away at North Shore Estates.  Because she trusted in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, she is now in heaven.

Gwen was born June 27, 1927, in Duluth, daughter of Harvey and Astrid Grandchamp.  On February 28, 1948, she was united in marriage to Allen Ornell in Duluth, MN.  For over 60 years, Gwen faithfully served the Lord through her active church involvement, most recently at SonLife Community Church. She and Allen also served God within Gideons International at the state and local levels where they joyfully distributed the word of God to those near and far.

Gwen was an active homemaker who deeply loved her family. She loved spending time with and praying daily for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Most important to Gwen was her relationship with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She loved leading Bible studies and sharing the riches of God's word with her family and friends.

Preceding Gwen in death were her parents; husband of over 70 years, Allen in 2018; grandchildren, David and Kelly Richards; and brothers, Jack and Lawrence Grandchamp.

Survivors include Alana (Benjamin) Velasquez, Amarillo, TX, Tom (Carol) Ornell, Duluth, MN, Denise "Dede" (Larry) Johnson, Wrenshall, MN,  Jim (Bev) Ornell, Centerville, MN, Jayne (Joel) Conley, Wrenshall, MN; 15 grandchildren: Jeff (Beth) Ornell, Amy (Eric) Kalmes, Stacy (Tim) Nelson; Tom Johnson, Chris (Janelle) Johnson, Chad (Sarah) Johnson, Nathan (Erin) Johnson, Carrie (Dustin) Nelson, Ben (Kaitlin) Johnson, Tim (Michelle) Ornell, Emily (Levi) Secord, Allie (Jake) Abbatacola, Daniel Conley, Laurie (Tim) Halmstad, and David (Leah) Conley; and 40 great grandchildren: McKenzie, Meghan, Naomi, Elijah, Gabriel, Caleb, Liberty, Clay, Emmalise, Ethan, Jack, Theodore, Sadie, Fox, Cricket, Aislinn, Ian, Owen, Jack, Stella, Sam, Jacob, Tyler, Isaac, Hayden, Hazel, Avery, Isaiah, Blakely, Gideon, Joshua, Daniel, Tess, Ryan, Renee, Leah, Jonathon, Henry, Luke, and Willow; and sister-in-law, Marilyn Sundland, Mesquite, TX.

The visitation will be at 10:00 am with services starting at 11:00 am on Tuesday, May 6th at SonLife Community Church, Wrenshall, MN.

Pallbearers are the grandsons in attendance: Tom Johnson, Chris Johnson, Chad Johnson, Nathan Johnson, Ben Johnson, Jeff Ornell, Tim Ornell, Daniel Conley, and David Conley.

The funeral service will be livestreamed via a YouTube channel at: SonLife Community Church - YouTube .