Roy Henry Gruenstein

Roy Henry Gruenstein, 91, of Aberdeen, returned to his eternal home and joined hands with his loving wife on Wednesday, January 8, 2020.

Mass of Christian burial will be 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 14, 2020, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 409 2nd Avenue NE, Aberdeen, with Father Andy Thruinger, Celebrant.

Burial, with military rites, will take place at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery at a later date.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Monday, January 13, 2020, at the mortuary, with a liturgical wake service beginning at 6:00 p.m.  Visitation continues one hour prior to Mass at the church on Tuesday, January 14, 2020.

Family and friends may sign Roy’s online guestbook and view his service via the live stream service link at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Roy was born September 1, 1928, to Lawrence and Catherine (Jangula) Gruenstein in Aberdeen.  This is the area where he was raised and attended school.  At the age of 16, he became employed at Siebrecht’s Green House.

Roy entered the United States Army in 1950 and served his country overseas in a Medical Battalion in Germany, achieving the rank of Corporal.  Upon receiving his Honorable Discharge in 1952, he returned to Aberdeen.

Roy was united in marriage to the love of his life, Lorraine Alice Huettl, on August 10, 1955, in Westport, SD.  Their union was blessed with six children.   Roy continued working at Siebrecht’s, where he was faithfully employed for over 30 years.  Later, he began working for Beadle Floral and eventually started his own business, Gruenstein’s Specialized Yard Care & Painting, until his retirement at the age of 88.  

Roy was a very devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  You could always find him working in his garden and sharing the fruits of his labor.  He was also known to enjoy his weekly Thursday night poker games.  He loved spending time outdoors, and especially enjoyed fishing, as well as selling nightcrawlers out of his home.  After their retirement, Roy and Lorraine enjoyed traveling abroad and went on many cruises together.  They shared over 61 years of marriage before she passed away on October 24, 2016.  Roy continued to make Aberdeen his home until the time of his death.

Blessed to have shared in Roy’s life are his children:  Sandra (Karl Matz) Gruenstein of Mankato, MN, Sheryl (Michael) Evelo of Rhinelander, WI, Charles (Bea) Gruenstein of Aberdeen, Susan (Steven) Harr of Helena, MT and Shelli (Kevin) Wertz of Oakes, ND; seven grandchildren:  Shawn (Casey) Neitzel, Jessica Evelo, Jeremy (Daleen) Evelo, David Evelo, Kristen (Carrington) Mead, Katelyn Wertz (significant other, Wesley Rojas), and Makenzie Wertz; six great-grandchildren:  Harper Neitzel, Samantha Hill, Brandon Hill, Angelica Evelo, Roy’s namesake, Roy Evelo, and Riley Mead; and one sister, Marie Rott of Riverside, CA.

Roy was preceded in death by his wife, Lorraine; infant daughter, Mary Therese; his parents; four brothers; and three sisters.

Blessed be his memory.

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