Raymond "Ray" Gruenwalt, age 77, of Gaylord passed away at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis on Sunday, Aug. 4.
Funeral service was held at Immanuel Evangelical Luth-eran Church in New Auburn at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 9. Pastor Dawn Quame officiated.
The organist was Kara Scholla. Soloist Darwin Frauendienst sang “The Lord’s Prayer.”
Congregational hymns were “Why Me Lord,” “How Great Thou Art” and “The Old Rugged Cross.”
Honorary casket bearers were Alfred Becker, Gary Polzin, Brian Polzin, Kevin Polzin, Kerry Wuetherich, Tom Dietel and John Bronson.
Casket bearers were Paul Sickmann, Jason Sickmann, Steve Mahnke, Andrew Mackenthun, Robin Doering and Scott Doering.
Interment was in High Island Cemetery in New Auburn.
Raymond “Ray” Earl Gruenwalt was born to Ollie and Mary (Kraemer) Gruenwalt at their home in New Auburn on Oct. 11, 1941. Ray was baptized as an infant and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth by Pastor William Mueller, both at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Auburn, where he was a life member. He received his education in New Auburn and Glencoe and was a graduate of the Glencoe High School Class of 1959.
As a young man, he enjoyed ice skating on High Island Lake with his friends. He also loved to go duck hunting.
On July 17, 1965, Ray was united in marriage to Joanne Mackenthun, the love of his life, at First Lutheran Church in Glencoe. They shared 54 years of marriage. Their son, Brian, was born on Oct. 28, 1972. Ray and Joanne rented for a few years in Glencoe and Gaylord, later moving to their farm near New Auburn. He enjoyed farming and being on the farm.
He cherished his church. He was a trustee and deacon for many years. He was especially proud of the works he did in planning and helping to build the new fellowship hall.
Ray worked for Sibley County Engineering Department for 40 years, where he worked his way up from being a rod man to assistant county engineer. He was dedicated to his job and enjoyed the people he worked with.
He would say to all of you “Love You.” His special song was “Why Me Lord.”
Ray is survived by his wife,     Joanne Gruenwalt of Gaylord; son,  Brian Gruenwalt of Gaylord; sisters, Betty Mahnke of Glencoe, and Delores (Ervin) Sickmann of Glencoe; sisters-in-law, Merle Schlueter of Hutchinson, and Janet Mackenthun of Glencoe; nieces, Andrea Mackenthun of Glencoe, Alicia Mackenthun of Chaska, and Jennifer Sickmann of Savage; nephews, Paul (Trisha) Sickmann of New Prague, Andrew Mackenthun of Glencoe, Jason (Leah) Sickmann of Cloquet, and Steve (Debbie) Mahnke of Farmington.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Ollie and Mary Gruenwalt; father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Mabel Mackenthun; brothers-in-law, Wayne Mackenthun, Lloyd Schlueter, and Elroy Mahnke.
Arrangements by Egesdal Funeral Home in Gaylord, Minnesota. Online obituaries and guest book available at www.hantge.com. Please click on obituaries and guest book