Woodward County Obituary
Persimmon Cemetery

Max Grunewald

1 Oct 1936 - 23 Jan 2016

© BILLINGS FUNERAL HOME
WOODWARD, WOODWARD CO, OK
(permission granted)
Submitted by: Ann Weber

Memorial: 2:30 PM Saturday, January 30th, 2016 - Billings Funeral Home Chapel

Max Grunewald Sr., 79 year old Mutual resident, died peacefully Saturday, January 23, 2016 at his home in Mutual, surrounded by his family. Max passed away in the same home he was born in. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, January 30, 2016 at the Billings Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Don Taylor and Reverend Jason Dirks officiating. Burial will follow at the Mutual Persimmon Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Billings Funeral Home.

John Max Grunewald Sr. was born on the family farm on October 1, 1936 near Mutual, Oklahoma to John Byron and Mary Francis (Nelson) Grunewald. He grew up on the family farm near Mutual and attended school in Mutual, graduating with the class of 1955. Max was very active in school activities including FFA, baseball and basketball. Upon graduation, Max attended Panhandle State University and then transferred to Oklahoma State University. He was a member of ROTC at Panhandle State and Oklahoma State.

While attending OSU, Max was united in marriage to the love of his life, Lois Dolores “Dee” Dill on September 1, 1957 at Billings, Oklahoma. They made their first home in Stillwater before returning to Mutual in 1964 taking over the family farm, where they raised three children, John Max, Benjamin David, and Polly Jean. Max’s love was farming and ranching and he had a large hog operation. Later in life, Max was the local Rural Mail Carrier. Upon retirement, he and Dee joined the Peace Corps Volunteers and spent two years in the Dominican Republic assisting the locals with their farming techniques. After returning from the Dominican Republic, he worked part time at Cross Brand Feed Store in Woodward. Max spent much of his retirement attending his grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s activities all over the state. Max loved the mountains and spent most of his summers in Pagosa Springs, Colorado where he felt right at home. Family would go and visit and spend time with him and Dee around the campfire, hiking and fishing. Max always prepared a steak dinner over the campfire for his guest.

He was a member of the Mutual Methodist Church and he enjoyed many church services wherever he was. Max was very involved in his community. He loved being with his family, his friends, and he loved OSU and was a long time Cowboy fan attending all OSU sporting events. Max was a member of the Vici Farmers COOP Board, and was named Outstanding Young Farmer of Woodward County.

He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Dee Grunewald of the home; two sons, John Max Grunewald II and wife Terrica Renee, Benjamin David Grunewald and partner Eric Burfict; one daughter Polly Cottom and husband Darren; one brother Pat Grunewald and wife Orphi; two sisters, Emma Jean Hackett, Pauline Zoe Braley; brothers-in-law, Don Dill and wife Molly, Joe Dill and wife Corky; grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, Greg Grunewald and wife Laura and their sons, Max, Sutton and Luke; Sarah Dorsey and husband Dustin and children Abigayle, Sullivan, and Coen; Jordan Elaine Grunewald, Madeline Lois Grunewald, John Max Grunewald III, Griffin Grunewald, Grace Grunewald, Cody Cottom and wife Kelsey and Julia Cottom and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, Richard Alan Grunewald, brother Dale Nelson Grunewald, sisters-in-law, Dorothy Grunewald and Nadeen Winters Dill, brothers-in-law, Ted Monhollon, Bill Hackett, Jack Braley, and Glen Austin Dill, Jr.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Research Association, with the funeral home accepting the contributions on behalf of the family. Please copy and paste the following address to your browser to visit the Alzheimer’s Research Association web page setup in Max’s honor. http://act.alz.org/site/TR?pg=fund&fr_id=1060&pxfid=321849