Obit: Grunseth, Bill W. (1946 - 2017)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Finstad, Gilbertson, Grunseth, Grunseth-Petersen, Martell, Paul, Pritzl, Siemek, Thompson

----Source: The Plombon Funeral Home (Gilman, WI) 4/20/2017

Grunseth, Bill W. (22 JUL 1946 - 19 APR 2017)

Bill W. Grunseth, 70, of Gilman, passed away on Wednesday, April 19, 2017. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 27, 2017 at Zion Lutheran Church-Gilman with Rev. Dr. Gary Paul officiating. Burial will follow at Meadowbrook Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at the Gilman Funeral Home and Thursday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at church.

Bill was born on July 22, 1946 in Ladysmith, Wisconsin to Glen and Dorothy (Gilbertson) Grunseth. He grew up on the family farm just outside of the city and attended area schools. He graduated from Ladysmith High School in 1964. Following high school Bill attended the Taylor County Teacher's College in Medford.

While there he learned the skills of teaching and was a star on the men's basketball team. He also met a fellow student named Eileen Siemek; who would become the love of his life. The two married on August 12, 1967 and were blessed with three children in the following years. Bill graduated from UW-Stevens Point with his bachelor's degree in 1972.

Bill taught for 35 years in the Gilman School District until his retirement in 2001. He taught grades 5 and 6 in Lublin for the first three years before becoming a middle school teacher of math, science, and reading in Gilman. In addition to teaching, Bill was a coach of the Gilman High School football and boys junior high basketball teams. He inspired the lives of many generations during his career.

Bill was also an active volunteer in the community, serving as a trustee on the Gilman Village Board for many years. He was a 40+ year member of the Gilman Lions Club, well known for working the food stand for the annual Gilman Fall Festival. He also supported the activities and
organizations of his children, including the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, athletics, and music events.

Bill was a master angler. In the summer, he enjoyed fishing on the upper part of the Dairyland Reservoir, landing walleyes and an occasional catfish. In the winter, he was a frequent visitor to the Miller Dam Flowage, pulling up bluegills and crappies. Near and after retirement, Bill pursued his passion for restoration of classic cars. He kept active working on many old Chevys, Fords, and other models. Above all he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, who always made him laugh and smile.

Bill is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Eileen; two daughters, Rebecca (Chris) Pritzl of Kenosha and Jennifer (Doug) Thompson of Chippewa Falls; a son, Nick (Britny) of Eau Claire; four grandchildren, Jacob and Elizabeth Thompson, and Emmett and Lara Grunseth; two brothers, Bob (Pat) of Tony and Tim (Josie) of National City, CA; three sisters, Glenda Finstad of Gordon, Sandy (Sherman) Martell of New Berlin, and Patti (Neal) Grunseth-Petersen of Watertown; mother-in-law Charlotte Siemek of Gilman, many nieces and nephews, cousins, and
dear friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Mike Grunseth, and father-in-law Max Siemek.