Richard H.A. “Dick” Gruenewald, 89, of Bonduel, passed away in the home that he built on Friday, March 10, 2017, with his family by his side. Richard was born on Nov. 30, 1927, in Wauwatosa to the late Elmer and Irma (Salzer) Gruenewald. Dick graduated from Bonduel High School and is a member of the Bonduel Athletic Hall of Fame. He married Elsie Busch at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bonduel on Sept. 2, 1950. In 1951, he was drafted into the military and served as a corporal in the United States Army 174th M.P. Battalion from 1951 until 1952 at Fort Sheridan in Illinois. Dick spent time working as a mailman, a carpenter, painter, and as a truck driver. He served on the County Board and is a member of Bonduel American Legion Post 217 and St. Paul Lutheran Church, town of Washington, where he was active with the cemetery committee and the senior citizen’s group. In his free time, Dick enjoyed crosswords, cryptograms, and watching sports especially when his children or grandchildren were playing. He also enjoyed and spent many hours playing a baseball dice game he created. Dick was a wonderful man who loved to make people laugh and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Dick is survived by his wife of 66 years, Elsie; six children, Richard (Kathy) Gruenewald, Dawn (Kenny Boettcher) Scheelk, Brian (Sue) Gruenewald, Thomas (Eva) Gruenewald, Donald (Joy) Gruenewald, and Nila (Manny) Rodriguez; 16 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Esther Gartland; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Marion Gruenewald, Al Gruenewald, Nila (Bob) Ploeckelman, Robert Gruenewald, Thomas Schultz, David Schultz, and Donald Schultz; in-laws, Lydia (Victor) Bittner, Ruth (Gerald) Buetow, Luther (Audrey) Busch, Cordula (Ray) Jensen, Paul (Dorothy) Busch, and Irvin Gartland.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 14, 2017, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in the town of Washington with the Rev. Steven Pockat officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military honors conducted by the Bonduel American Legion Post 217. Visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.
Memorials may be directed to Lutheran Counseling and Family Services of Wisconsin or Cure JM.
Swedberg-Wendt Funeral Home is assisting the family with the funeral arrangements.
The family would like to extend special thanks to long time cardiologist, Dr. Fuchs at Bellin Health and to all the caregivers at Unity Hospice.