Donald F. Gruenhagen

Obituary

Donald Frederick Gruenhagen was born on August 29, 1933, in Glencoe, Minnesota. He was the son of Albert and Ella (Tanke) Gruenhagen. Donald was baptized as an infant and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe. He received his education in Glencoe and was a graduate of the Glencoe High School Class of 1951.

Donald entered active military service in the United States Army on September 21, 1954, and served his country during the Korean War. He received an Honorable Discharge on July 20, 1956, at Fort Ord, California, and achieved the rank of Private.

On October 17, 1958, Donald was united in marriage to Jean Bonell Nelson at Vasa Lutheran Church in Vasa, MN. This marriage was blessed with four children, Jon, Kay, Paul, and Dawn. Donald and Jean resided in Minneapolis, MN for a brief period of time before moving to Glencoe, MN. They shared 64 years of marriage.

Following his military service, Donald was employed for three years at Honeywell Aerospace in Hopkins, MN. Donald and Jean then moved to co-manage the family dairy farm in Glencoe with his father. After his father’s passing, Donald purchased the farm, retiring in 1988. When not caring for the farm, Donald volunteered his time delivering for Meals on Wheels, driving fellow Veterans to medical appointments in the Veterans Van and was a faithful Red Cross blood donor.

Donald was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Glencoe, and held several different offices, participated in choirs, Couples Club, and bible study. He served on the Glencoe Mills Board, the Glencoe School Board, and on the Security Bank & Trust Board. Donald was also a member of the Glencoe Rotary, the Glencoe American Legion Post 95, the Glencoe VFW Post 5102, and the Glencoe Woodworking Club.

Donald enjoyed traveling, river cruises, riding the bike trails, playing cards, music, and dancing. He cherished time spent with family and friends, especially his grandchildren. Growing up, his household spoke German exclusively, learning English when he began school. He enjoyed speaking German with his friends, family, and strangers during his travels.

Donald passed away Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at GlenFields Living With Care in Glencoe, at the age of 89 years. Blessed be his memory.

Donald is survived by his:
Wife, Jean (Nelson) Gruenhagen of Glencoe, MN;
Children, Jon Gruenhagen of Saint Helena, CA,
                 Kay Wendlandt and her husband, David of Colorado Springs, CO,
                 Paul Gruen and his wife, Karen of Seattle, WA,
                 Dawn Gruenhagen of New Hope, MN;
Brother, Albert Gruenhagen Jr. and his wife, Linda, of Glencoe, MN;
Grandchildren, Katie (Nicholas Graves) Gruenhagen, Kyle (Kelsie) Gruenhagen, Christian (Kelley) Wendlandt, Michael Wendlandt, Alex Wendlandt, Jacob Wendlandt, Henry Gruen, Ella Gruen;
Great-grandchild, Johnny Graves;
Numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Donald is preceded in death by his Parents, Albert Sr. and Ella (Tanke) Gruenhagen; Brothers, Orville Gruenhagen and his wife, Geraldine, Kenneth Gruenhagen and his wife, Helen; Sisters, Jeanette Brinkman and her husband, Earl, Carol Gruenhagen, Mavis Gruenhagen; Sister-in-law, Janet Gruenhagen; Nephew, Wayne Gruenhagen.