Gary Gruenenfelder, Blanchardville WI, Gary’s Service Station Owner Died in Tragic Car Accident – Funeral Arrangement
Gary Gruenenfelder Death – Gary Gruenenfelder, a 69-year-old resident of Blanchardville, Wisconsin, and the founder of Gruenenfelder Construction, has tragically passed away. He was announced dead through a social media publication that read, “With heavy hearts, The Blanchardville Fire Department would like to express our deepest condolences to the Gary Gruenenfelder family and to everyone affected by this unexpected tragedy.”
What was Gary Gruenenfelder’s cause of death?
Gary Gruenenfelder passed away on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, in a horrific vehicle accident. Gary has had a few terrible breaks in his life. Prostate cancer in 2008, a grade 5 burst brain aneurysm in November 2010, an unruptured second aneurysm in February 2016, and ocular melanoma in August 2019 were among the medical challenges he encountered.
But through it all, he maintained a cheerful attitude and kept his chin up. Through the unwavering support and intercession of his loved ones, he miraculously recovered to resume operating a tractor and combine.
Who was Gary Gruenenfelder?
Henry and Margaret (Wahl) Gruenenfelder welcomed Gary John Gruenenfelder into the world on April 3, 1954, at St. Claire Hospital in Monroe, Wisconsin. On the Blanchardville family farm, he was raised. He was a member of the “first and finest” graduating class at the newly established Pecatonica School system, having attended Blanchardville School and graduating in 1972. Gary wed Muriel (Murt) McCarville, a resident of Hollandale, on May 31, 1975, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Hollandale, Wisconsin.
After four years of employment at Zim’s Cheese, he obtained his cheesemaking license. Gary and Murt rented two separate farms in the region together. They purchased the Eidsmoe farm in Moscow Township, which is located about north of Blanchardville, in May 1980. There, Gary and Murt worked as farmers until he constructed a new home on the edge of their property, where they currently live.
Gruenfelder Construction was founded by Gary, who also constructed the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Blanchardville in addition to remodeling and building numerous new residences. He eventually changed careers and started working for Madison’s underground utility firm, Intercon Construction. As the shop manager in the warehouse, Gary was responsible for providing tools and equipment to field workers all throughout the country.
About Gary Gruenenfelder
Later on, he returned home to support his son, Farron, who had purchased the family farm. Gary and Murt purchased a nearby farm that day, which they later sold to their son Jason. Gary cherished using farm machinery on their ancestral land. Gary served as president of the Pecatonica School Board for one year during his five years as a member. He spent more than 24 years as an EMT and secretary/treasurer for the Blanchardville Fire Department. For many years, he was the Knights of Columbus’ historian.
At his core, Gary was a businessman. He established Quad County Rentals, a self-storage company, by purchasing the former Zim’s Cheese/Quad Co Coop feed mill. He reopened Blanchardville Coop Oil Station, which had been closed, as Gary’s Service Station in 2018. There, he gave the local community members much-needed assistance. Gary had six children, 19 grandchildren, and his beautiful wife, Murt, whom he loved and treasured.
Gary Gruenenfelder’s Obituary and funeral arrangements
A visitation for Gary Gruenenfelder will be held on Sunday, December 10th from 2:00 until 7:00 PM at Blanchard Hall on Main Street in Blanchardville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 11th at 11:00 AM at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Blanchardville. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Blanchardville. A funeral lunch will follow at the Blanchardville Fire & EMS Community Center.