Norman H. Grunklee

Norman Herman Grunklee, 94, of Red Wing, passed away peacefully Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at Mayo Health Systems, Methodist Campus in Rochester.  He was born on April 15, 1929, in Claremont, Minnesota to Herman and Leora (Kruckeberg) Grunklee.  He graduated in 1947, from Blooming Prairie High School.  On October 20, 1949, he was united in marriage to Ruth Hartle at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Owatonna.  Norman began working for Jostens in Owatonna before entering the US Air Force, serving from 1952 to 1956, during the Korean Conflict.  Following his honorable discharge he returned to Jostens, continuing his career of 46 years with them, retiring in 1993.  During that time with Jostens, he and his family lived in Owatonna, moved to Hatfield, Pennsylvania in 1969, and then to Red Wing in 1983.  He was a member of the Church of St. Joseph where he served as a eucharistic minister and was active with Knights of Columbus.   He was also a member of the Leo C. Peterson American Legion Post #54 and volunteered his time at the Sheldon Theatre.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed playing cards and the piano accordion.  Norman loved to dance with and sing to his wife, Ruth, during their 73 years of marriage.  In his younger years coached youth baseball.   He and Ruth also travelled throughout the United States and Europe during their retirement years.

Norman is survived by six children, Douglas (Joyce) Grunklee of Skippack, Penn., Jane (John) Delp of Naples, Fla., Diane (Joel) Collett of Stephenson, Va., Joseph Grunklee of Lansdale, Penn., Jon (Jessica) Grunklee of Eagan and Daniel Grunklee of Austin, Minn.; 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ruth on November 12, 2022, one brother, Dale and two sisters, Verna Minges and Maxine Ronglien.

Mass of Resurrection will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, December, 19, 2023, at the Church of St. Joseph in Red Wing with Father Brandon Theisen presiding.  A recording of the service is available here . Burial will be at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Owatonna.  Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, December 18, 2023, at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel in Red Wing and at the church for one hour prior to the service.  Memorials are preferred to the Lupus Foundation of America or St. Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital.