Norman Grunzke

Norman William Grunzke passed away quietly at his home, with family present, on November 19, 2021, due to complications of pneumonia. Norman was born on May 4, 1936, to William and Edna (Kaiser) Grunzke.  He was raised on the Grunzke farm in rural Wells and attended country school until registering at Wells Public School for seventh grade. Norman graduated in 1954 and enlisted into the Army with three of his high school buddies:  Morris, Bill and Bruce. He served in the Army for two years, working with the “Honest John” Missil, and was discharged in 1957, as a Corporal. He met his wife-to-be, Harriet Habeck, at Festag, and was married on October 7, 1958. Norman and Harriet raised their four children on the Grunzke farm.

Norman was a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, serving as President for two terms. He farmed until retiring. Norman and Harriet moved to Pequot Lakes to enjoy fishing and the north country. He loved puzzles, going to casinos, having lunch at Applebee’s with his cousin and wife, and many years of vacations with his children and grandchildren at Heath’s Resort and Clamshell Resort.

Norman is survived by his wife, Harriet; sister, Ethel (Grunzke) Townsend; four children:  Barry (Lynne) Grunzke of Eden Prairie, Julie (Bruce) Larson of Crosslake, Susan (Craig) Linder of Maple Grove, and Christopher (fiance Natasha) Grunzke of Waseca; twelve grandchildren: Adam (Ashley) Grunzke of Hastings, April (Elijah) Blakesley of Amboy, Spencer (Ross) Lian-Thornton of Edina, Sydney (Rebecca) Andersen of Madison, WI, Jordan Scheunemann of Minneapolis, Brooklyn and Kara Linder of Maple Grove, Peyton Grunzke of Texas, Savanna Grunzke of Waseca, Dominic Grunzke of Waseca, Brayden and Jaxen Grunzke of Zimmerman; five great grandchildren: Paisley, Hadley and Paxton Grunzke of Hastings, Will and Evelyn Blakesley of Amboy; brothers and sisters-in-law:  Darold and Beverly Habeck of St. Peter, Bob and Char Pahl of Vernon Center; along with nieces, nephews and extended family grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Preceding Norman in death were his parents, William and Edna Grunzke; father and mother-in-law, Herbert and Esther Habeck; brothers and sisters-in-law: Dean Townsend, Kenneth and Gloria Tischer, Dennis and Darlene Tischer;  nephews, Larry Townsend and Douglas Tischer.

Services will be held at a later date.