Donald ‘Donnie’ Griepentrog
Donald E. “Donnie” Griepentrog, 89, Spencer, passed away on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, at the Marshfield Medical Center, surrounded by his family. At Donnie’s request, no funeral services will be held, however, family and friends are invited to gather at 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 26, at West Spencer Cemetery in the town of Sherman, Clark County, for graveside services along with full military honors conducted by Loyal American Legion Post 175.
Donnie was born on Dec. 15, 1931, in Spencer, to Fred and Adelheid (nee Wellman) Griepentrog. He attended Brighton school until the eighth grade, at which time he left school to help on the family farm. On Nov. 8, 1952, he married Elizabeth (Betty) Wenzel in Spencer. Two weeks after they were married, he was drafted to serve in the Korean War and achieved the rank of corporal before returning home in August 1954. Donnie worked at various jobs throughout his lifetime; he was a hard worker and often held two jobs at a time. He worked construction, drove milk and gravel truck, delivered the Marshfield News Herald for 23 years, ran his own farm for four years, while also working as a foreman at Land O’ Lakes in Spencer, retiring in 1993 after 37 1/2 years. After his retirement, he worked part-time at Jensen Motors in Spencer and also assisted his wife babysitting.
He enjoyed taking trips to the casino with family and friends and driving the streets of Spencer in his trusty minivan and later on his motorized scooter.
Don is lovingly survived by son Jim (Ronda Hederer) Griepentrog and his children, Derek and Devon (Troy Shull) of Spencer; daughter Jane Krohn of Marshfield and her child Jessica (Dan) Harriman of Strum; daughter Joni (Shane) Karl and their children, Elijah and Libby of Marshfield; and son Jon (Jodi) Griepentrog of Marshfield and their children, Haley (Logan Arndt) Griepentrog of Wausau, Hayley Weister of Eau Claire and Trayton Weister of La Crosse. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren: Chase and Skye Shull, Delaney, Karley, and Brody Harriman, and Gage and Leightyn Griepentrog; his sisters-in-law, Sally Wenzel of Spencer, Donna Wenzel of Spencer, Lois Wenzel of Stanley, and Karen (Ron) Kupfer of Underwood Minn.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Betty, on May 29, 2007; half-brother Elmer and his wife Adeline; half-brother Ray (Stub) and his wife Anita; brother Eugene and his wife Bernice; sister Caroline Greenwald and her husband Jim; his baby brother Bernard; his brothers-in-law: Gordon, Fred, Bob and Chuck Wenzel; and his grandson, Luke Griepentrog.
The family would like to thank his caretaker Susan Huber for the excellent care she gave to our Dad. He always looked forward to the days his “Susie” would come.
Arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home-Spencer. Visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com to share condolences.
PAID OBITUARY 101118
