Obit: Grunlien, Leonard Allen (1943 – 2009)

Contact: Dolores

Surnames: Grunlien, Staff, Anderson, Johnson, Christianson, Geske

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) September 23, 2009

Grunlien, Leonard Allen (26 August 1943 – 16 September 2009) With Flag

Leonard Allen Grunlien, 66, of Joplin, MO, and formerly of New Richmond died Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009, at Spring River Christian Village, Joplin, following an illness.

Leonard was born Aug. 26, 1943, in Black River Falls, to parents Alvin and Stella (Staff) Grunlien.  He served in the United States Air Force and was a veteran of the Vietnam War.  He worked for the State of Missouri as a probation and parole officer for 20 years, retiring in 2007.  He enjoyed his bridge club, and he was a member of the St. John’s Mended Hearts.

He is survived by three sons, Mike (Debbie) Grunlien of Denver, CO, Todd (Clara) Grunlien of Virginia Beach, VA, and Shane Grunlien of the state of Arkansas; brothers, Milan Grunlien of Stafford, MO, and Lester Grunlien of Black River Falls; sisters, Elvera (Andrew) Anderson of Black River Falls and Delores (Edward) Johnson of Carson City, NV; sister-in-law, Joyce Grunlien of Alma Center; 10 grandchildren; besides other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his son Travis; brothers, Roger, Raymond and Ardell and sister-in-law, Beatrice Grunlien.

Funeral services for Leonard A. Grunlien were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept, 19, 2009, at the Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home, Hixton, with Pastor David Christianson officiating.  Burial with military rites by the Northfield American Legion Post 541 took place in the Upper Pigeon Creek Lutheran Cemetery, rural Hixton. Friends called at the Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home Saturday one hour prior to services.  A visitation was held in Missouri Thursday, Sept, 17, 2009, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Mason-Woodard Mortuary and Chapel, Joplin.

Casketbearers were Junior Anderson, Paul Anderson, Duane Geske, David Grunlien, Johnny Staff and Terri Staff.