Don Gruenewald

Don Allen Gruenewald was called to be with the Lord on February 2, 2025. Throughout his battle with ALS, Don maintained his infectious smile and loved to share laughter and stories with his family and friends. Don dedicated his life to serving others as a public school educator and coach, and as a lay servant leader both at St. Mark United Church of Christ in Arnold, MO and at the Missouri United Methodist Church in Columbia, MO.
Don was born February 1,1951 in St. Louis, MO. Don graduated from Fox High School, in Arnold, MO in 1970, where he was student body president and lettered in football, basketball, and track. Don attended Central Methodist College in Fayette, MO, where he played football and rugby, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Physical Education in 1974, followed by a Master of Arts in Elementary Administration.
While at Central Methodist, Don met the love of his life, Jean Borgelt. Unbeknownst to him, their first date fell on Jean's birthday, where he was surprised to meet her parents and two brothers who were in town. Don and Jean were married on April 17, 1976. Together, Don and Jean raised two wonderful daughters, Kate and Kara.
Don spent his 31 year public school career in the Fox C-6 school district, as a teacher, mentor, and principal, retiring as Fox Elementary School principal after 17 years. He was a coach of various sports, including Fox High School girls varsity basketball, earning the first ever district title in 1989. He was respected by students and loved by colleagues – resulting in plenty of friendly practical jokes through the years.
After retirement and moving to Callaway County, MO, he spent countless hours volunteering for the church, serving as chairman of the Missouri United Methodist Church Trustees for 10 years and was honored in 2024 with the Ernest M. Funk Award of Christian Merit and the United Women in Faith Special Recognition Award for his dedication and service. Don worked part-time as event staff at Mizzou Athletic events, at the Shryock's Corn Maze, and organizing and mowing at Borgelt Farms. He loved working outside and took pride in keeping an immaculate lawn.
Don was preceded in death by his parents Gerald and Viola Gruenewald, and sister Judy Burch. He is survived by wife Jean, daughters Kate (Bob) Nolte and Kara Gruenewald, brother Bob (Candy) Gruenewald, brothers in-law Frank Burch, Steve Borgelt, and Dave Borgelt, nieces Debbie (Lorin) Rivers, Brenda Austin, Heather (Patrick) Schwalbe, and Lindsay Gruenewald, and all of the friends that became family.
The Gruenewald family gives thanks for the helpful staff from Phoenix Home Health & Hospice and the care they provided during the last few weeks.
Services are scheduled for Saturday, February 15th, 2025, at Missouri United Methodist Church, with a 1:00 pm visitation and 3:00 pm Celebration of Life. Those unable to attend can find a link to the livestream of the service at the MUMC Youtube page at http://www.youtube.com/@MissouriUMC/streams
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Don Gruenewald Memorial Fund at the Missouri United Methodist Church. Gifts can be made online at http://moumc.org/give by selecting Memorial - General from the fund dropdown menu and including Don Gruenewald in the memo section, or sending checks to Missouri United Methodist Church, 204 S. Ninth St., Columbia, MO 65201 with Don Gruenewald Memorial Fund in the memo line.