Donald P. Grenda

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Donald P. Grenda, 89, long-time resident of Ironwood, passed away on Monday, June 24, 2019.

Don was born on May 24, 1930 in Ironwood, son of late Peter and Josephine (Kropko) Grenda.

He graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1948. He attended Gogebic Community College before enlisting in the Army, serving three years and receiving an Honorable Discharge in June 1952.

On June 25, 1955, he married the love of his life, Ruth Lucas at St. Sebastian Church in Bessemer.

Don went on to graduate earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University in 1957. He then taught biology at Central High School in Battle Creek before returning home to Ironwood to teach at the St. Ambrose Catholic High School.

In 1976 Don founded the Hobby Wheel bicycle shop in Ironwood.

Don was civically and community minded and liked volunteering. From 1978–1998, Don was recognized for his service as a member of the Mid-Peninsula Library Cooperative Board. In 1985, Don was voted Citizen of the Year by the Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce and served as President of the Ironwood Chamber of Commerce in 1987. When Ironwood celebrated it's Centennial, Don was the Centennial Committee Chairman and the Committee was voted Organization of the Year. For many years Don was Scout Master for Ironwood troops. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan.

He is survived by his daughter, Sandy (Steve) Sharp of Kimball, Wis .; and his two sons, Joseph (Pam) Grenda of Virginia Beach, Va. and Donald (Tracy) Grenda, Jr. of Mayfield, Ky.

The family is honoring Don's life with visitation from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, June 28, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Binu Joseph, celebrant. Following Mass a Rite of Committal and interment will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood. Military rites will be accorded at the cemetery under auspices of the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard, assisted by the U.P. Funeral Honors Team.

The family would also like to thank the staff of Villa Maria Nursing Home for their outstanding care.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.