Gary Gruenenfelder Car Accident; Longtime EMT, And Secretary/Treasurer For The Blanchardville Fire Department, Gary Gruenenfelder Passes
On Tuesday, December 5, 2023, Gary J. Gruenenfelder, who was 69 years old and lived in Blanchardville, passed away as a result of a horrific car accident.
At St. Claire Hospital in Monroe, Wisconsin, on April 3, 1954, he was brought into the world by his parents, Henry and Margaret (Wahl) Gruenenfelder.
He was raised on the farm that his family owned in Blanchardville. Following his graduation from Blanchardville School in 1972, he became a member of the Pecatonica School district’s “first and finest” graduating class.
Blanchardville School School had just been established. Gary McCarville, the love of his life, tied the knot with Muriel (Murt) McCarville, a resident of Hollandale, Wisconsin, on May 31, 1975, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Hollandale, Wisconsin.
In the course of his four years of employment at Zim’s Cheese, he earned his certification as a cheesemaker. Gary and Murt are the ones that rented out two distinct farms in the region together.
They made the purchase of the Eidsmoe farm in Moscow township in May of 1980. The farm is located close to the north of Blanchardville.
In that location, Gary and Murt worked the land together until he constructed a new house on the edge of their farm, which is where they continue to live to this day.
In addition to constructing the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Blanchardville, Gary established Gruenenfelder Construction, which specializes in the remodeling and construction of a large number of new homes.
Eventually, he made a career change and started working for Intercon Construction in Madison, which is a company that specializes in underground utility construction.
Gary served as the Shop Manager in the warehouse, where he was responsible for delivering tools and equipment to field employees located all across the country.
Later, he returned to his hometown to assist his son Farron, who had recently purchased the family farm.
Additionally, on the same day, Gary and Murt purchased a farm in the neighborhood, which they later transferred to their son Jason. On the land that belonged to his family, Gary enjoyed operating outfield machinery.
Murt, his lovely wife, as well as six children and 19 grandchildren, including Justin (Michele) Eva and Hawken Gruenenfelder of Monticello, are among those who are left behind after Gary’s passing.
Lucas (Dana) Teagan and Aven Gruenenfelder of Hollandale, Farron (Jess) Trinity, Aidan, Layton, and Atley Gruenenfelder of Blanchardville, and Elisabeth Gruenenfelder of Hollandale Ella, Owen, and Olivia Schrader, all of Pewaukee, are Heidi (Jason) Schrader.
A group of individuals from Blanchardville, including Jason (Kris) Halle, Jaxon, Cal, Lydia, and Cheyenne Gruenenfelder, as well as Lacy (James) Ryder, Taylee, and Ace Gilbertson from New Glarus.
In addition to his parents, who passed away in 2011, his father-in-law, LaVerne McCarville, passed away in 2002, his mother-in-law, Muriel McCarville, passed away in 2022, his brother Paul passed away in 2012, and his nephews Mike Gruenenfelder and Trevor Hendrickson passed away in 1996 and 1988, respectively.
Gary was a member of the Pecatonica school board for a period of five years, during which time he did serve as President for one year.
He served as Secretary/Treasure and an EMT for a considerable amount of time throughout his more than twenty-four years of membership with the Blanchardville Fire Department.
Within the Knights of Columbus, he held the position of Historian for a considerable amount of time. Gary’s true calling was in the business world.
In order to establish Quad County Rentals, he purchased the former feed mill that was owned by Zim’s Cheese and Quad Co. Coop and then proceeded to establish a self-storage company.
He opened Gary’s Service Station in 2018, which was located at the Blanchardville Coop Oil Station, which had been closed for some time. There, he offered a service that was desperately required by members of the local community.
In the course of his life, Gary has been dealt a few of poor hands. In 2008, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. In November 2010, he suffered a grade 5 ruptured brain aneurysm.
In February 2016, he experienced a second aneurysm that was not ruptured. In August 2019, he was diagnosed with ocular melanoma.
Nevertheless, he was quite tenacious, just like his mother (Murt described him as being stubborn), and he maintained a very optimistic attitude and kept his chin up during the entire ordeal.
A remarkable recovery was made possible for him, and he was able to resume driving the tractor and combine with the assistance and prayers of all of his family and friends.
Gary had the opportunity to be reunited with the rest of his grandchildren and to create a great deal more memories.
Playing euchre, cheering on his children and grandchildren, having a few drinks, and spending time with his family and friends were all activities that he enjoyed doing with great enthusiasm.
Gary’s quick wit and sense of humor were also well-known qualities. We are going to miss him!
