Thursday, October 1, 2026
Irja Margareta Groset passed away peacefully at home on July 15, 2026, after a short illness, with her husband, Ola, by her side.
Born on February 21, 1940, in Holmsund, Sweden, Irja moved to the United States in 1954, together with her parents and sisters Margita and Gun-Marie. The family traveled through 17 states before settling in the Seattle area. Irja graduated from Foster High School in 1957, attended Pacific Lutheran University, worked at Rainier Brewery, and later became a flight attendant for Northwest Orient Airlines.
In 1961, she met Ola Groset, the love of her life. They married in 1963 and built a life together spanning more than six decades. They raised two children, Jon and Sonja, built a construction business, and made their home in Edmonds, where they were known for welcoming friends, neighbors, and just about anyone else through their front door.
Irja was endlessly creative and generous. She was an accomplished seamstress and knitter whose handmade baby blankets have wrapped generations of babies belonging to family, friends, and neighbors. She sewed all of her own clothes (and many for her children and friends), including head-turning ski outfits she wore on the slopes into her seventies. Her signature, hand-knit ski hats included an oversized pom-pom, in honor of the Sami traditions of Northern Sweden.
Irja and Ola loved sharing their Scandinavian heritage, food, and traditions with their extended family and friends in the U.S. Countless celebrations included Irja’s famous meatballs and desserts, and of course some memorable drinking songs. They also took every opportunity to return to Sweden and Norway to visit relatives and friends.
Although she lived with dementia in her final years, Irja never lost her trademark sass and spark, and still had a lot of advice and opinions to share. Ola devoted himself to her care with extraordinary love, patience and tenderness. Irja often said she never wanted to live a day without him, and in a final reflection of the life they built together, she passed away in his arms.
Irja is survived by her husband, Ola Groset; her daughter, Sonja, and son-in-law, Gavin; her sister, Gun-Marie, and extended family across Norway, Sweden and the U.S. She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Jon, her sister, Margita, and her parents.
A celebration of Irja's life will be held at the Edmonds Yacht Club on Tuesday, August 25 from 6-8 p.m. Additional details will be available through Beck's Funeral Home.
If you would like to honor Irja's memory, mix yourself a Manhattan – stirred, never shaken – raise a glass to our favorite Swede, share a story, and remember a woman who loved fiercely, welcomed everyone, and lived with unmistakable style.
There will only ever be one Irja.
