Gribble, Donald "Don" 97, of New Ulm died Thursday, February 22, 2007 at the Oak Hills Living Center in New Ulm. Service of Remembrance will be 11:30 a.m. Saturday, February 24, 2007 at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in New Ulm with burial in the New Ulm Catholic Cemetery. Full Military Honors will be conducted at the cemetery by the New Ulm Area Comrades of Valor. Visitation will be 6 - 8 p.m. Friday and from 7:30 - 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the Minnesota Valley Funeral home in New Ulm. A lunch will be held at the New Ulm Country Club after the ceremonies at the cemetery. Don is survived by his sons, Charles Gribble of West Des Moines, Iowa, George Gribble of Eagan; daughters-in-law, Mary Gribble of Minnetonka, Martha Gribble of West Des Moines, Iowa; grandchildren, Magdalene Gribble, Donald Gribble, Elliott Gribble, Meredith Gribble, Austin Gribble, and Gabrielle Gribble. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marguerite Gribble on June 8, 2001; and a sister, Katherine Overand. Donald Cleland Gribble was born on November 3, 1909 in Formosa, Kansas to Charles and Flora (Cleland) Gribble. Later that year his family moved to Alberta, Canada to homestead land. In 1929 Donald moved to Minneapolis and worked as a car salesman. On July 1, 1939 he was united in marriage to Marguerite Rerat in Minneapolis. He then served as a Chief Mechanical Engineer in the United States Navy during WWII aboard the U.S.S. Connolly. Donald received the Campaign Ribbon, American Area Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Area Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Medal, Iwo Jima Battle Star, Volcano Islands Battle Star, Okinawa Gunto Battle Star and the Ryukyus Island Battle Star. After the war he returned to car sales. In 1952 he purchased New Ulm Motors, a Ford dealership, and operated it until 1989. Don enjoyed golf, playing cards and was an original season ticket holder of the Minnesota Vikings. Donald was a past president of the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce and the New Ulm Lions Club. He was a member of the New Ulm Country Club, Albert Nagel V.F.W. Post # 1648, Turner Club, and the Destroyer Escort Sailors' Association. He was a life member of the Seifert-Bianchi American Legion Post # 132 in New Ulm.
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.
Strange it seems to be looking at what could be a mirror of my future. Was doing a 'search' on my name and found this tribute. Forgive me, but may I say that I hope to have as many friends as this name-sake and may I be missed as much when my time comes. Bless you all.
Donald 'Don' Gribble, Jr.
June 18, 2007 | Roseville, CA
Who could ever forget such a kind, humble and cheerful man! Almost 40 years ago, he sold me my first car when I was getting out of college and my next car too. Don made me so very comfortable that I felt like he was a relative. He will always be "Mr. Gribble" to me and those in Heaven are blessed to have him now.
Barb Flesher Field
barbara field
February 24, 2007 | Longmont, CO
Don and Marguerite were good friends of my parents. I remember he used to say; "The top of the morning to you, and the rest of it to meself." He was a lot of fun.
Michael Leicher
February 23, 2007 | Minneapolis, MN
One of my early and favorite clients.
A pleasure to serve.
May God grant an old friend of over 55 years
the peace of Christ.
Joe and Harriet Flesher
February 23, 2007 | Eden Prairie, MN
Calling on Don as a manager from the factory was a highlight of the week for me. I enjoyed our trip to Hawai with he and Margerite as well as his hospitality at every social occasion.
He was fine gentleman.
Jack Landin
February 23, 2007 | Edina, MN
