Carolyn Jeanette (nee Meifert) Grunewald, 89, of Sheboygan Falls, passed away Tuesday, December 25,
2018 at Pine Haven Christian Community. Carolyn was born July 5, 1929, in Sheboygan, the daughter of
the late Frederick and Caroline (Splinter) Meifert. She was baptized at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church,
Sheboygan, on July 21, 1929.
She attended Immanuel Lutheran School, Sheboygan, was confirmed on April 18, 1943 and graduated
on June 10, 1943. She was active in choir, as a Sunday school teacher, a member of the Walther League,
the ladies’ bowling league and the church band.
Carolyn attended Sheboygan Central High School, graduating in 1947. While in high school, she was a
member of the National Honor Society, the Concert Band, Swing Band Concert Orchestra, Jazz Band and
Wuerl’s Band.
Following graduation Carolyn worked as a secretary at R-way Furniture and then in the Stenographic
Department at Kohler Company.
After working 3 years, she attended Concordia Teacher’s College in River Forest, IL (now known as
Concordia University, Chicago). Carolyn sang with the 200-voice Cantata Chorus and played in the
concert and marching bands. She graduated with a B.S. Degree in Education in 1954.
Her first call was to Ascension Lutheran School in Charlotte, NC, where she taught classes, served as
principal and started and directed a children’s choir. She also sang with the senior choir, was director of
the Walther League, Director of Vacation Bible School and was a member of the Lutheran Women’s
Missionary League. In 1957, Carolyn accepted a call to Pilgrim Lutheran School, Chicago, to teach 4 th and
5 th grades and develop a music program for the school. She also started and directed a children’s choir
and sang with the senior choir.
In 1960 she received a call from Bethlehem Lutheran School to teach the 3 rd grade class. While there,
she also taught instrumental students and started and directed the Bethlehem School Band. She also
sang with the church choir. While teaching at Bethlehem, she also returned to the Kohler Company
Band and joined the Municipal Band of Sheboygan.
In 1965, due to health problems, Carolyn took a leave of absence from teaching. She then returned to
work at the Kohler Company where she was a Documentation Specialist. She was a member of the
Quarter Century Club and retired from Kohler in 1991.
On September 30, 1967, she married James G. Grunewald (son of Norbert W. and Hertha Ida (nee
Roethel) Grunewald of Howards Grove at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. They built their home in
Howards Grove, living there for 40 years before moving to the Town of Sheboygan. He preceded her in
death on April 3, 2018.
After moving to Howards Grove, Carolyn transferred her church membership to Trinity Lutheran Church,
Howards Grove, where she became active in the Trinity Ladies Aid Society, the Lutheran Women’s
Missionary League, the Trinity Altar Guild, the Trinity Senior Servants group and served at Immanuel
Lutheran Church with the Lutheran Braille Workers Work Center #100.
Survivors include her sister-in-law, Hilda (Fred) Meifert, Sheboygan Falls. Numerous nephews, nieces,
grandnephews, grandnieces, great-grandnephews and great-grandnieces, as well as many other
relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her mother-in-law, father-in-law,
three brothers, Frederick W. Meifert, Jr., Kenneth A. Meifert, Sr. and August Meifert, four sisters-in-law,
Lillian Meifert, Joyce Meifert and Mollie Meifert, nephews, Charles Dale Meifert, Neil E. Meifert, Sr.,
Kenneth A. Meifert, Jr., and brother-in-law, Marvin H. (Minnie) Grunewald.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, December 31, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran
Church, (W2776 State Hwy 32, Howards Grove) with Rev. Darrel Bergelin officiating. Friends may call on
Monday, at the church, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Inurnment will be at Greenlawn
Memorial Park. Please visit www.zimmerfuneralhome.com to send condolences.
A memorial fund has been established in her name for Trinity Lutheran Church.
Carolyn’s family wishes to express their appreciation to Rev. Darrel Bergelin for his inspiration,
encouragement and visits. They would also like to thank her doctors, nurses and the staff of Pine Haven
and Compassus Hospice for their thoughtful and helpful care during her illness.
