Gerhart “Jerry” Robert Albert Gruling, 72, of 2513 Main St. Merrill, WI. died in his home Sunday, December 8, 1996. Born in the town of Hamburg, Marathon County, Wisconsin on April 26, 1924 to Robert and Otilie (Zastrow) Gruling. He married Elaine Kleinschmidt on June 30, 1945, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Town of Scott. Over the years Jerry had been employed at Lincoln Wood Products, Inc; Harry Borchardt Home Construction; and Lavern Borchardt Construction, where he desiged and constructed wrought iron porch railings. He also worked as a machinist at Kolbe and Kolbe Millwork, Wausau, retiring following a stroke in 1980. Jerry’s skill enabled him to build various equipment including a pontoon boat, snowblower, tractor, caterpillar. Other interest were feeding and watching birds and squirrels in his backyard. Also skilled at woodworking, Jerry built special house feeders and contraptions for his back yard visitors. Jerry enjoyed fixing things for his many friends and playing the concertina. Gerhart is survived by his wife Elaine, five sisters; Elisa (Walter) Sodke, Wausau; Hattie (Ray) Riemer, Town of Hamburg; Olga Kriehn, and Viola Mohrland, Merrill; and Betty (Bob) Tierney, Wausau; also three brothers; Walter Gruling, Wausau; Victor (Lee) Gruling, Montello, WI.; Robert (Eppie) Gruling, Merrill. Further survivors include a sister-in-law, Helen Frederick; also sister-in-law and brother-in-law Jean and Harlan Storm, Merrill, and their children Kay Strom, Phoenix AZ. And Mark and Wendy Strom, Las Vas Legas, NV. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sisters; Irma Kriewald and Mary Ann Westfall; also a brother Ted Gruling. Services Wednesday, Dec. 11, 1996 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill WI. Rev. Ken Albers officiated. Burial in Snow Hill Cemetery, Town of Scott. Tayor-Mann-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, assisted with arrangements.
~Contributor: Al Gruling (46921141)