August Grunewald

August O. “Fat” Grunewald Jr., 91, of Chippewa Falls, died Friday, November 15, 2019 at Cornell Care Center in Cornell.

He was born July 7, 1928 in Shawano to Magdalena (Koepke) and August Grunewald Sr.  He attended Augusta Area Schools, then moved to Hayward in 1945.  Following high school, he worked for the State of Wisconsin for three years until he enlisted in the military.

August proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict from 1950 until his honorable discharge in 1952, with the rank of Sgt. 1st Class for the 143rd Artillery Battalion in Korea.  He received many combat medals for his service.

On November 29, 1952, he married Joan Rabideaux in Bayfield.

August continued to work for the State of WI working as the Maintenance Supervisor for the Northern Center for 43 years until his retirement in 1990.

August also worked part time as Special Conservation Warden for the DNR for 13 years in Chippewa Falls and the surrounding areas.

He was a lifelong member of the VFW Post 1038; a member of the Bow and Arrow Club, Ducks Unlimited and the Chippewa Falls Masonic Lodge #176 F&AM.  He also became a member of York Rite Bodies, the Chippewa Shriners and the Mehara Club of Eau Claire-Sawduster Clown Unit.

He is survived by his wife of almost 67 years, Joan of Chippewa Falls; daughter, Mary Grunewald of Middleton; sons, Duane (Sandra) of Cadott, David of Chippewa Falls;  a sister, Jeanette (George) Long of Hayward; brother-in-law, Glenn Gregerson of Hayward; sisters-in-law, Gladah Grunewald of Stone Lake, Eleanor Grunewald of Fall Creek; grandchildren, Mandy Grunewald of Middleton, Erin (Shandon) Grunewald of Chippewa Falls, Sara (Ryan) DeWitt of Racine; a great-granddaughter, Mosley Grunewald; and step-great-grandsons, Liam, Silas, and Cullen DeWitt; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Alice Gregerson; brothers, Guy, Ray and James Grunewald.

A memorial mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 20 at Notre Dame Catholic Church with Fr. Jesse Burish celebrating the mass.   Interment with military honors by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council will follow at Hope Cemetery, Chippewa Falls.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Tuesday at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls with a Masonic Service at 6:30 p.m.  Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service Wednesday at Notre Dame Catholic Church.

Memorials may go to St. Joseph’s Hospice or to Notre Dame Church.

The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation the staffs of St. Joseph’s Hospice and the Cornell Care Center for the excellent care and kindness given to August.

Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services, Chippewa Falls is serving the family.

Please share your memories and condolences online at pedersonvolker.com.