James David Gronberg, age 85, formerly of Birchwood Wisconsin, passed away Monday night, March 20, 2023 in Cincinnati Ohio.

Jim had moved to Ohio last October to be near his daughter and her family after the passing of his wife Lois in June 2022. He was a graduate of Muskegon High School, In Muskegon, Michigan. After brief studies in theology following high school, he joined the Navy in April 1956 and served for 22 years until his retirement in 1978. While in the Navy he worked as part of a team installing nuclear power and weapons for the navy, as a military policeman, and also as a volunteer as a radio announcer for a classical music show on board the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Kitty Hawk. He received a bachelor’s degree in Adult Education from Southern Illinois University, and a Master’s degree in Communications from Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut. Following his naval career, he worked as a technical writer, instructor, and consultant in defense and private industry, focusing on ISO quality documentation. James met his wife Tula (Skar) Gronberg in 1955 through the choir at Trinity Lutheran Church, Birchwood. They were married in May 1958 also at Trinity Lutheran. Jim loved to watch NFL football, and kept detailed statistics and predictions for each NFL game for many years. He maintained a daily habit of devotions and bible reading and study throughout his life. He was a servant-leader for the many congregations he was a member of throughout his life, including serving as president of Trinity Lutheran, Birchwood. He was a master mason, and he enjoyed playing golf, hunting, and fishing, and singing in both church and community choirs throughout his life. In addition to his technical writing for work, he also wrote several short stories and essays and kept trip journals for his many adventures to Norway, Germany and Switzerland and his solo trip to Alaska in 2008. He even wrote an autobiography, published for his family in March 2011.

Jim is survived by his son Luke Gronberg, of Thorp, Wisconsin, his daughter Paula (Gronberg) Osorio, son-in-law, Louis of Loveland, Ohio, grandson and granddaughter-in-Law Peter and Kimmy (Herner) Osorio of Gypsum CO, grandson Thomas Osorio, of Cincinnati Ohio and his brother John (Judy) Gronberg, of Nashville, TN.

He was preceded in death by his parents the Reverend Authur Gronberg and Ruth (Moe) Gronberg, his wifes Tula (Skar) Gronberg, and Lois (Allard) Gronberg, and his two sisters Karen Ruebush and Edith Johnson.

Jim touched the lives of all those he knew and had a strong sense of faith and devotion to his family, never missing a birthday or holiday in the young lives of his grandsons. He will be dearly missed and remembered by the many people who were blessed to have known him throughout his long life.

Funeral Service will be held at 11AM Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Birchwood, WI, Rev. Dan Tabor officiating, with interment in Woodlawn Cemetery in Birchwood, WI, followed by a luncheon at the church. Visitation will be held from 9:30-11AM Tuesday at the church.

Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake, WI is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Last Update: Mar 23, 2023 3:21 pm CDT