Donald Gruhlke

Obituary: Donald W. Gruhlke Donald W. Gruhlke, 85, a long time resident of the Mazeppa area, died Sunday (March 11, 2007) at Rochester Methodist Hospital after a brief illness. The funeral will be held at St. John?s Lutheran Church in Bear Valley at 11am on Thursday, March 15. Mr. Gruhlke was born on April 8, 1921 to William and Mamie (Albers) Gruhlke on the farm where he lived his life. He married Willa Barghusen on January 20, 1945. The couple owned and operated the family farms in Chester Township until 1992 when they built a house in Mazeppa. Mr. Gruhlke was a long time member on the DHIA Board and the Mazeppa Creamery Association Board. He enjoyed reading and watching sports. Survivors include his wife, four children: Suzanne (Jim) Greenleaf, of Rochester, Steve, of Zumbro Falls, Janel (Larry) Leimer, of Orange Beach, AL, Shelly Gruhlke, of Rochester; six grandchildren: William and Stephanie Greenleaf, Shawn, Shannon and Steve Gruhlke, Jr., Desiree? Leimer; four great-grandchildren: Cody Morken, Ashton Ogden-Gruhlke, Alec and Landon Gruhlke; two sisters: Wynette Hovel and Phyllis (Jack) Heise, all of Zumbrota. Visitation will be held from 4-8pm at the Mahn Family Funeral Home Larson Chapel in Zumbrota on Wednesday, March 14, and an hour before the service at the church on Thursday. The family suggests memorials to the Bear Valley Church.