Photo by Samantha Davis Delanie Harnack performs a tribute routine to her late aunt, Morgan Grunewald, titled “Dancing in the Sky” on Jan. 5 at the Red Baron Arena in Marshall for the Southwest Figure Skating Club’s annual exhibition.

MARSHALL — For 12-year-old Delanie Harnack, figure skating is more than just a sport. The ice is a canvas for artistic expression, and a way to honor the memory of her late aunt, Morgan Grunewald.

“To know Morgan was to love Morgan,” Sammie McCoy, Grunewald’s sister-in-law and Harnack’s mother, said. “She was very unique.”

Grunewald died at 25 years old on June 3 last summer after her vehicle collided with a semi-truck near Wabasso. Her three daughters she has with husband Jake Grunewald were also in the vehicle, and didn’t sustain life threatening injuries. 

Harnack is a part of the Southwest Figure Skating Club, and took on skating when she was 7 years old. When coming up with her freeskate routine for this competition season, she knew she wanted to uphold her aunt’s life in a tribute piece.

“Her (Grunewald) and Lanie have always been close. She came into Lanie’s life when Lanie was, I think, three,” McCoy said. “Morgan had long, beautiful hair, and they always called her ‘Princess.’ It was always Princess Morgan, and they would brush her hair. Morgan, you could always find her sitting with kids, just telling them how beautiful they are.”

Harnack’s routine dedicated to Grunewald is titled “Dancing in the Sky.”

“We played it at the funeral for Morgan,” McCoy said. “I want to say Jake, her husband, said it was her favorite song.”

Harnack most recently performed the routine on Jan. 11 at the Lakes Area Classic in Willmar, and placed third in the freeskate category.

“The one that she skated to for Morgan’s song, she got third, which she was up against some good competition,” McCoy said. “She did really good, because the girls looked a lot older than her. We were really proud of her for that one.”

Harnack performed overall very well at the Willmar competition, also placing first in Spins, and second in both Compulsory and the Character Showcase, where she performs “When Will My Life Begin” from the Disney movie “Tangled.”

Harnack said her family was able to attend the competition to see “Dancing in the Sky” in person.

“They thought it was pretty and beautiful,” Harnack said.

Grunewald was a big support in Harnack’s early figure skating career.

“She (Grunewald) would say, ‘You did really good, it looks really nice. I liked it, and it looks like you had a lot of fun,'” Harnack said regarding what messages Grunewald would share with her after competing.

Harnack has been working on her smoothing techniques from last season, which plays a large part in the elegant tribute piece.

“It’s really neat to watch, because Delanie is very quiet. For her to go out and perform in front of everyone, is not her norm. When she performs it, she’s very angelic, very graceful,” McCoy said. “It’s nice to see her doing that and to find something that she finally loves to do.”

Grunewald had an uplifting nature, and would encourage those around her to be confident.

“Her comment she would always make was, ‘Who cares what people think? Do what you want, what you’re comfortable with, and what makes you happy,'” McCoy said. “She would say that all the time. You’d be like, ‘Do you like the shirt?’ And she’d be like, ‘Do you like it? Who cares what other people think?’ “

Harnack carries a piece of Grunewald everywhere, including when she skates.

After the accident, Harnack was welcomed to pick out some of Grunewald’s jewelry to keep. She picked out a heart necklace, one of her aunt’s favorite pieces, and now wears it every day.

“We also try to think of different ways to honor her memory. We donated some school supplies to her oldest daughter’s classroom,” McCoy said. “We are just trying to spread kindness wherever possible. It’s a whole different outlook on life now.”

Grunewald left a comforting, inspiring impact on her family and loved ones. As the competition season progresses, Harnack will continue to bring her family a sense of peace when she dresses into a white, flowy dress, sharpens up her skates, and takes the ice with grace to remember her aunt, who will be “Dancing in the Sky.”