Martin E. Grunewald Jr., age 90, of Howards Grove passed away on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
He was born in Ada on April 7, 1934, to the late Martin and Elenora (Barts) Grunewald Sr. He graduated
from Kiel High School in 1952. Martin met his sweetheart, Marilyn Bohlmann in Sheboygan at the
Playdium and the two were united in marriage on May 12, 1956, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in
Howards Grove, where he was still a member. She preceded him in death on October 21, 2019. Martin
was employed at Bitter Neumann in Howards Grove and then later at Neumann Plumbing & Heating,
where he retired. He then worked part time at the Piggly Wiggly in Howards Grove. He was the treasurer
of the village of Howards Grove for many years and was also a part of the Millersville Fire Department,
retiring as Fire Chief. When the Millersville and the Howards Grove Fire departments joined, he then
served as the Assistant Fire Chief. Martin was also a member of the Millersville Recreation Association.
Martin enjoyed gardening, listening to Polka and country music, and traveling with Marilyn. He was a
true family man and loved giving his children, neighborhood children and later his grandchildren rides in
the wagon. Marilyn nicknamed him, the Cookie Monster due to his love for cookies and was known to
hide a few from time to time. He was quite the jokester and was known for always being there when
someone was in need. Some of Martin’s famous quotes to the men in the family was, “us guys need to
stick together” and told everyone he “lived in the house of queens”, due to being blessed with all
daughters.
Martin is survived by his five daughters, Connie (Tom) Engelman, Donna Pantel, Amy Grunewald, Diann
(fiancé John Buss) TenPas and Jennifer (special friend Dan) Grunewald; grandchildren, Jeremy (Beth)
Engelman, Ryan Engelman, Julie Engelman, Shawn (Angela) Krueger, Alissa Preuss, Derek Pantel, Trevor
(friend Dalton) Bramstedt and Brody Boeshaar; great-grandchildren, Eryka & Aleah (fiancé Evan Meyer)
Miskell, Addison, Jack, and Sofia Krueger and Miah Preuss; great great-grandchildren, Zuri and Zara; son-
in-law, David Goetsch, sister-in-law, Mary Grunewald; family friend Gary Krueger; nieces, nephews,
other family and friends.
Along with his parents and wife, Marilyn, Martin was preceded in death by a daughter, Ruth Grunewald-
Goetsch; sons-in-law, Scott Pantel and Dave TenPas; siblings, Milton (Dorothy), Norman (Virginia),
Merlin and Viola (Arnold) Lemke; sister-in-law, Evelyn (Harvey) Specht and his father and mother-in-law,
Arthur (Mary) Bohlmann.
A Funeral Service for Martin will be held at NOON on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at Zimmer Westview
Funeral & Cremation Care Center, W2132 Garton Rd in Howards Grove with Pastor Adam Bode
officiating. Family will greet visitors on Wednesday, at the funeral home from 10:00 AM until the time of
the service. Martin will be laid to rest next to Marilyn at the St. Paul’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Martin’s name.
The family would like to thank the staff at Aurora at Home Hospice for the amazing care and support
shown to Martin, especially Jason Fidlin, Tanya, and Cerenity.
To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.zimmerfuneralhome.com
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