Henry Joseph Gruenenfelder, age 90, of Blanchardville, died on April 11, 2011 at the Monroe Clinic Hospital in Monroe, WI. He was born February 10, 1921 in Perry Township, Dane County, WI the son of John Henry and Christina Gruenenfelder. Henry attended the Forward country school. He made cheese with his dad at the Perry Center Cheese Factory in rural Mt. Horeb until he went into the service. On May 23, 1944 he married Margaret Wahl at the Holy Redeemer Church in Perry Township in a double wedding ceremony with Henry's sister, Hedy and Margaret's brother Maurice. In December of1944 Henry was drafted into the United States Army. Following basic training in Arkansas, he served in the Philippine Islands and Japan during WWII and was honorably discharged at Fort Ord, California in 1945. Henry lived in the Hollandale/Blanchardville area most of his life where he worked in heating and plumbing and later farmed for 16 years. After moving to town in 1970, he worked at the Blanchardville Coop Oil until he retired in 1986. He continued working for the Saethers in the Funeral Home as well as the Furniture Store until 2005. Henry was an avid sports fan and enjoyed bowling and horseshoes where he won many trophies. He loved attending his children and grandchildren's sporting events. He also played guitar and sang for many years at house parties, at one of which he met his future bride. Henry and Margaret loved to dance. Henry was an active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, Dobson Johnson American Legion Post 142 and was a proud charter member and lifetime member of the VFW.

Henry is survived by their 8 children, Marilyn (Lee) Fahrney of Hollandale, Paul of Blanchardville, Anita Kammerer of Brodhead, Allen, Gary (Murt), Patricia Hendrickson, Mark (Kelly) Gruenenfelder and Ann (Denny) Marty, all of Blanchardville; 5 sisters, Anna Minnig of Beaver Dam, Mary Jensen of DeForest, Catherine Uebersetzig of Waunakee, and Leona Rundhaug and Hedy Wahl, both of Blanchardville as well as brothers- and sisters-in-law; 27 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Margaret, on January 10, 2011; 2 sisters, Christine Zimmerman and Lillian Bigger; daughter-in-law Gladys Gruenenfelder; son-in-law Rod Kammerer; and grandson, Jamie (Mike) Gruenenfelder.

A military funeral service will be held on Friday, April 15, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Immaculate Catholic Church in Blanchardville with Fr. Tom Gillespie officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Blanchardville with veteran's graveside honors. Visitation will be held Thursday evening, April 14, 2011 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the church. The Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville is assisting the family. Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.saetherfunerlahome.com.