Andrew Muenich

Andrew Louis Muenich died peacefully at his home with family on January 1.

Born on September 27, 1937, he was 86 years old. Andy was raised by Lawrence and Florence Muenich in Menomonie, Wisconsin, along with his four younger siblings.  

Andy left for San Diego in 1958 to become a Marine. Once a Marine, always a Marine, Andy stayed connected with the military through local American Legions and VFWs.  He proudly served on the American Legion Honor Guard for nearly four decades.

After his four years in the United States Marine Corps, Andy met and married his wife, Virginia.  After a short time in St. Paul, they moved to Eau Claire. Together Andy and Ginny raised a family, owned and operated Long's Sport Shop on Water Street for 23 and a half years, and enjoyed numerous adventures together, including a trip to Africa as well as Alaska.  They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on December 28 of 2023.

Andy loved going to the cabin, which also served as Deer Camp for both friends and family.  Spending most weekends at the cabin, he instilled a great appreciation for the outdoors in his children, grandsons, and foreign exchange students. Whether Andy was up north, in town, or out of state, he was sure to be playing at a bluegrass jam or playing with his band, The River City Ramblers.  He brought joy to many with his exceptional piano and banjo playing skills. Andy also loved history, collecting old Winchesters, fixing old clocks, tinkering with anything that needed fixing, and hunting out west in Montana on the Willson Ranch.

Preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Florence; his brother Bob and brother-in-law Dick Shafer. Andy is survived by his wife Virginia; siblings Paul (Laura) Muenich, Tom (Donna) Muenich and Marilyn Shafer; children David (Melonie Shipman) Muenich of Mora, MN, Catherine (Ryuji) Muenich-Beppu of Apple Valley, MN, Christine (Patrick Murphy) Muenich of River Falls, WI and John Muenich of Duluth, MN; his three grandchildren Daniel, Benjamin, and Nicholas Johnson, his step grandchildren Luke, Karlssa, and Karly Murphy, and four beautiful and beloved great grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be scheduled for a later date in the spring. Memorials are preferred to the family or to the Fisher House Foundation of Minneapolis, MN.

Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at cremationsociety-wi.com.