T Sergeant US ARMY
1911 - 1992
Serial Number 37679014; Enlisted Camp Dodge, Herrold, Iowa September 22, 1943; Private
Ralph and his brother Harold enlisted together in the Army on September 22, 1943. Inducted at Camp Dodge, Iowa, Ralph served in General Order 33 War Department 45 (Normandy), New Guinea and Luzon. He received the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Star, Good Conduct Medal and South West Pacific Ribbon with three battle stars. He was honorably discharged at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, on January 29, 1946.
Ralph Grundmeier
Technical Sergeant
1876th Engineer Aviation Battalion
Inducted September 22, 1943 Camp Dodge, IA
Mechanic Automotive Wheel Vehicle 965
Qualified as Rifle Marksman December 7, 1945
Served in: General Order 33 War Department 45 (Normandy), New Guinea, and Luzon
Received the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Star
Good Conduct Medal
South West Pacific ribbon with three battle stars
Served over-seas for 1 year, 9 months & 29 days.
Served in the US for 6 months & 7 days.
Service outside of the Continental US:
Departure March 22, 1944
Destination APT
Arrival April 20, 1944
Departure January 5, 1945
Destination USA
Arrival January 19, 1946
Honorably Discharged at Ft. Leavenworth, KS on January 27, 1946
Lapel Button issued
ASR Score 52 (September 2, 1945)
Inactive service in ERC September 22, 1943 - October 12, 1943
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Funeral services for Ralph H. Grundmeier were held Tuesday, January 14, 1992 at 2:00
p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning, Iowa. Pastor Robert Riggert officiated the
service with Paula Weiss as organist.
Interment was in Manning City Cemetery, Manning, Iowa with Military Honors and casketbearers being Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard, Emil Ewoldt Post 22 of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3517.
IN MEMORY OF RALPH H. GRUNDMEIER 1911 - 1992 SERVICES TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1992, 2:00 PM ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH MANNING, IOWA OFFICIATING PASTOR ROBERT RIGGERT MUSIC "I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES" --- "JESUS LIVES! THE VICTORY'S WON" --- "HOW GREAT THOU ART" CONGREGATION PAULA WEISS, ORGANIST INTERMENT MANNING CITY CEMETERY MANNING, IOWA MILITARY HONORS AND CASKETBEARERS OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE HONOR GUARD EMIL EWOLDT POST 22 OF THE AMERICAN LEGION VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS POST 3517
THE FAMILY WISHES TO EXPRESS THEIR GRATITUDE FOR YOUR KINDNESS EVIDENCED IN THOUGHT, WORD, AND DEED, AND INVITES YOU TO JOIN THEM FOR LUNCH AND FELLOWSHIP AT THE CHURCH FOLLOWING THE COMMITTAL SERVICE
Ralph, son of Hugo and Anna Mergele Grundmeier, was born May 31, 1911, near Manning, Iowa. He attended the rural schools near his home, and furthered his education at Carroll High School, Carroll, Iowa. Ralph lived in Carroll where he held various jobs, including employment at Standard Oil, the Pontiac and Buick garage, and Lockhart Automotive. He was united in marriage with Pearl Jentzen on July 12, 1939. During World War II Ralph served with the United States Army from 1943 to 1946, spending two years overseas. In 1949 Ralph and his wife moved to Manning where he operated a service station until 1961. He worked for Struve Motors for a year and then had the DX station on Main Street for two years. Ralph began working at the NAPA Auto Parts store, purchasing the business in 1970. He sold his business and retired in 1978.
Through the years Ralph has brought many hours of enjoyment to the community by
playing his banjo. Learning to play at age eleven, Ralph performed for many dances
accompanied by his father who played the violin. Ralph has played with various dance
bands in the area.
Ralph had been in failing health this winter and had been hospitalized. He died Sunday
morning, January 12, 1992, at Manning General Hospital at the age of 80 years, 7 months,
and 11 days.
Survivors include his wife, Dorothy, of Manning; four step children: Dianna and her
husband, Allan Seedorff, of Waterloo; Marilyn and her husband, Gail Mumm, of Westside;
Carolyn Hicks of Marquette, Michigan; Bill Strosahl and his wife, Joleen, of Bellevue,
Nebraska; two nieces he helped raise: Sharil and her husband, John P. Lawler, of Vail;
and Diane and her husband, Bob Henkelman, of Manning; 10 step-grandchildren; three
brothers: Harold and his wife, Marion, of Carroll; Orren and his wife, Patty, of Carroll; and
Russell and his wife, Becky, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; two sisters: Marie and her
husband, Maurice Dion, of Carroll; and Letha Grundmeier of Carroll; as well as nieces,
nephews, and other relatives and friends. |