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Ralph H. Grunerud |
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May 4, 1919 ~ July 8, 2014 |
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July 19, 2014 |
Ralph H. Grunerud passed away on Tuesday July 8
at Bishop Place in Pullman, Washington. At his
request, there will be a graveside service at
the Moscow Cemetery Friday, July 11 at 11:00
a.m. with Military Honors.
Ralph was born on May 4, 1919 to Almer and
Rosine (Holen) Grunerud at the
family homestead, near Broderick, Saskatchewan,
Canada. He was the fourth of four boys and two
girls.
In 1922, due to drought and crop failures, the
family migrated to Bonners Ferry.
Ralph graduated from Bonners Ferry High School
in 1937. That fall he enrolled at the University
of idaho (Dairy-Short Course). Upon completion,
he was employed by the Idaho Dairy Products Co.
of Moscow, Idaho.
On April 4, 1941, Ralph and Jennie Mae Hisel, of
Moscow, Idaho, were married.
Ralph enlisted in the United States Marine Corps
during World War II. He served in the
Asiatic-Pacific Theater. He was wounded during
the battle of Iwo Jima. He spent over two months
in hospitals at Guam and Pearl Harbor. When he
was discharged he returned to active duty.
He spent the next year on the island of Saipan.
While on Saipan he was awarded the Purple Heart
and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation
medal.
When World War II ended, he was given an
Honorable Discharge, and returned home to his
wife and his old job.
In 1951 they moved to Yakima, Washington. There
he enrolled in a two year electrical course at
J.M. Perry Technical Institute. Upon completion
they moved to Moses Lake, Washington, where he
worked as an industrial electrician. In 1965 he
began working for the state of Washington as a
state electrical inspector. They relocated to
Colfax, Washington and later to Pullman,
Washington. He retired in 1982.
He was a lifelong member of teh Lutheran Church.
He was also a life member of the VFW, the DAV,
and a 50+ year member of the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents;
wife, Jennie in 2006; brothers Goodwin, Arlo,
and Orion Grunerud; and his sister Lila Kent.
Ralph is survived by a sister, Korra (Omer)
Olson of Spokane, numerous nieces, nephews, and
cousins. |
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