Marie Gale Grunwald

Marie Gale (Chambers) Grunwald, 92, died peacefully on Friday, October 31, at her home at Compassionate Cottage in Willmar with family by her side.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. followed by her celebration of life service at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 5, at the First Presbyterian Church in Willmar where Marie was a long-time member. Memorials in Marie’s name are welcomed to the First Presbyterian Church of Willmar, Centra Care Hospice, and the Havana Cemetery. Heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated and loving teams at Compassionate Cottage and Centra Care Hospice for their endearing and exceptional care.  Arrangements are entrusted to the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

Marie was born in Owatonna, Minnesota in 1933 and was raised on her parent’s (Margaret and Burton) farm alongside her two beloved older sisters Marian and Marge. She loved horses, belonging to the 4H, and having her grandparents close. She graduated from Owatonna High School in 1952, attended one year at the University of Minnesota and then married her high school sweetheart, Robert Grunwald who was her best friend and constant companion for the next 57 years.

Marie was a creative writer, humorist, and practical joker. She planned for her annual Christmas letters and April Fool’s Day antics all year long. She cut out her favorite cartoons and saved them to be sent at just the right time to just the right person on just the right occasion. She taught her four children, by example, how to laugh hard, laugh often, and most importantly, how to laugh at themselves. She focused her attention always on the things that mattered most to her - family, faith, friends, and love. She showed her commitment to service through her involvement in Meals on Wheels, PEO, and the ministries of the First Presbyterian Church.

She is lovingly remembered by her four children and their spouses: Jane (Bobby) Weathers of Des Moines, IA; Beth (Gaylen) Reetz of Stillwater, MN; Charles Grunwald of Willmar, MN; and Sarah (Jeff) Sieck of Willmar, MN. She is sadly missed by her seven grandchildren: Katie, Maggie, Billy, Megan, Lizzie, Rob and Jenn, and by her eight great-grandchildren: Leo, Mae, Henry, Isabelle, Kacen, Ralyk, Harper, and Harley. She also leaves her cherished sister Marge Polacek, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert, her parents, and her sister Marian Jones.