Surnames: Gripentrog, See, Dann, Bernier, Kueng, Mittelstadt, Meyers, Fleming

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) April 23, 2008

Gripentrog, Ray D. (*22 April 1924 - 16 April 2008)

RAY D. GRIPENTROG With Flag

Ray D. Gripentrog of Glendale, WI passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at the age of 83 years. Beloved husband for 61 years of Trudy (nee See); Loving father of Sharon (Steve) Dann, Ashia Gripentrog, Susan Gripentrog, Ann Bernier, Maria (Kevin) Kueng, Therese (Scott) Mittelstadt, John Gripentrog, and steve Gripentrog; Proud grandfather of Christopher, Shannon, Sarah, Brionna, Benjamin, Janelle, Ellie, Katie and four great-grandchildren. Brother of Ted (Ardene) Gripentrog, Greta (Vic) Meyers, and Judy (dee) Fleming, and further survived by brothers-and-sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by brothers Herb, Neale, and Earle.

Friends greeted the family at the funeral home from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, April 20, 2008, with a Prayer Service at 7 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 21, at St. Monica Catholic Church, 5601 N. Santa Monica Blvd in Whitefish Bay. Interment was at Resurrection Cemetery. If desired, memorials to St. Monica Catholic Church or the charity of your choice would be appreciated in lieu of flowers.

Ray was a veteran of the U. S. Navy during WWII and a graduate of UW-La Crosse. He taught and coached at high schools in Withee, Thorp, and Chippewa Falls, WI before moving to Milwaukee, where he taught and coached at Dominican and Nicolet high schools. He was inducted into the Wisconsin High School Football Coaches Association Hall of fame in 1991.

Ray was a former Alderman of the City of Glendale. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #4706 of Whitefish Bay, and a member of Cudworth Post #23 - the American Legion. He was an active participant in the Senior Olympics and the 55+ softball and volleyball leagues of the Milwaukee Public Schools Recreation Services.

The family extends its gratitude to the caring staff at Columbia Hospital ICU.

Ray will be dearly missed by family and friends.

*Birth date taken from the SSDI.