Henry Joseph "Hank" Grishaber

Henry "Hank" Joseph Grishaber,70, passed away peacefully at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Appleton. He was surrounded by family, and the temperature was 46 degrees.
Hank was born on October 5, 1954, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Appleton. He was the fourth of five children of Joseph Grishaber, owner and operator of Joe Grishaber's Tavern, and Eunice (Emmers) Grishaber. Hank graduated from Appleton East High School in 1973 and then earned a BS in BS at H&K University (commonly known as the School of Hard Knocks). In 1978, he married Karen Ann (Sanders) Grishaber.
After a brief stint in the paper industry and several years of working alongside his brother JD, owner and operator of JD's Drive-In, Hank convinced Karen to open Hank & Karen's Pub and Grill in 1989. The bar occupies the same building that had housed his dad's tavern, which happens to stand next to his brother's restaurant. Hank had no formal training in the bar business, but he was a quick study and meticulous chronicler, keeping copious notes on his craft, customers, and daily temperatures.
Hank & Karen's was the cleanest, happiest family-friendly tavern in town. To protect young ears, Hank heeded his own sign – "Profanity will stop your drinking." He exclaimed "Judas Priest!" when he was surprised, hurled "son of a busybody!" when he was miffed, and "Yah Yah!" when he didn't know what else to say. He knew everyone's name and everyone's drink. He sent good little boys and girls (and grown women) home with Oh Henry! candy bars. He created an annual car show so families could see classic cars and trucks, racing vehicles of all kinds, and epic burnouts. Hank's hidden doorbells, hand buzzers, prank calls from "The Jungle Room," and distinctive, infectious "HA! HA!" delighted young and old visitors for decades.
Bar owners often feel forced to pick between family and business, but Hank refused to choose. Instead, he brought his family into the business and turned his business into a family. All four kids – Opie, Big Jon, and the twins, Maggie and Peggy (or Peggy and Maggie?) – worked alongside Hank and Karen in the tavern. The Grishaber family made employees and customers feel at home. Hank held himself and others to the highest of standards. It was always "yes" with Hank, never "yup" or "ya." Everything needed to be done the right way, from scrubbing potatoes to pouring beer to stacking firewood. He even threatened to cut the brim off backwards baseball caps a few hundred times.
Hank's generosity knew no bounds. He frequently donated money to local charities and causes; sponsored local events, teams, and racecar drivers; and offered jobs to those willing to work. Hank was an outstanding husband, father, grandfather, boss, and bartender. If he was your friend, you never had a better one. Hank hosted longest drive competitions down John Street, free late-night haircuts in the bar (which led to confused wives waking up to bald husbands), midnight fishing expeditions in the parking lot puddles, and after-bar garage parties until the sun came up.
If you spent time with Hank, you never had a better day.
Hank is survived by his wife, Karen; children Opie (Erica) Grishaber, Jon (Cara) Grishaber, Maggie (Chris) Kresal, and Peggy (Ryan) Kohl; grandchildren Kennedy Grishaber (Opie), Owen Grishaber (Jon), Kellyn Kresal, Logan Kresal, Koralyn Kresal, Linkyn Kohl, and Breyenne Kohl; siblings JD (Pamela) Grishaber, Mary Ann (H. James) Uhlenbrauck, and Frank Grishaber; brother-in-law Edward Sanders; sister-in-law Mary (Dave) Koepsel; and numerous nephews, nieces, and relatives.
Hank was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Eunice; Karen's parents, Edward and Eleanora Sanders; his brother, Jude; Karen's brothers Raymond and James Sanders; nephew Chad Koepsel; and their beloved granddaughter, Brooklyn. Countless customers and friends are lining up to buy Hank a drink in heaven, and Trina, his dog, is waiting with her leash.
A celebration of Hank's life will be held at Tanner's Bar and Grill in Kimberly from 2:00 p.m. to ?? on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Please wear your Hank & Karen's apparel! In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.