Obituary of Fred Grienke

A memorial gathering for Fred Grienke, age 67, of Lake Park, will be held Saturday, July 27, 2019 from 10:00-12:00 at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Fred Louis Grienke, 67, of Lake Park and formerly of Spirit Lake and Alta, transitioned into the most peaceful nap he's ever taken on Monday, July 15, 2019. Fred was born October 4, 1951, in Sibley, Iowa to Fred Edward Grienke and LaVon Gertrude Holmes. Fred spent his childhood raising animals and working on cars before graduating from Washington High School in Cherokee in 1971. Fred was employed as a welder and an auto mechanic. In 1974, he married Kathryn Ann Sorensen, the Aurelia girl from the burger joint that he met while "scooping the loop" in his 1955 Chevy. Fred and Kathy raised their two children, Ann and Tim, in Alta. Fred worked for Ron's Farm Service in Storm Lake before taking ownership of the business as Fred's Repair. In 2004, Fred and Kathy moved to Spirit Lake with dreams of spending their retirement fishing among Iowa's Great Lakes. Fred worked for both Pure Fishing and Polaris before retiring in January 2018. Everyone who knew Fred will likely cherish memories of his ornery and playful sense of humor, his knack for taking things apart and fixing them, and his love for vintage cars and "treasures." Among his most treasured possessions are the 1955 Chevy and the 1970 Chevelle SS he drove in his youth. While the Chevelle is still being restored to its original condition, Tim will drive the '55 to the Turner Jenness Family Funeral Homes in Spirit Lake for a celebration of Fred's life on Saturday, July 27, 2019. The family will host a come-and-go visitation from 10 am until noon, followed by a short prayer service. A private burial will take place at a later time at Storm Lake Memorial Cemetery. Left to carry on Fred's legacy are his wife of 45 years, Kathy (Sorensen) of Lake Park, daughter Ann Christiansen of Grimes, son Tim Grienke and wife Melissa of Superior, and 3 granddaughters, Jocelann, Annalise, and Aubriann Christiansen of Grimes. Fred's siblings Suzanne Rupp and Robert Grienke of Cherokee, James Grienke of Alta, Donna Donaldson of Storm Lake, and Sally (Mark) Johnson of Bushnell, NE, along with a number of extended relatives, also remain to share fond memories of Fred's life. Preceding Fred in death are his parents, Fred E. and LaVon Grienke, and siblings Shirley Grienke, Harold Wieland, Phyllis Lewis, and Betty Reed.