Verda Gruneich

Verda Gruneich, 87, passed away Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at the Village of Legacy Pointe.

Verda was born January 29, 1927 to Edward and Lena Bunse on a farm near St. Joseph, MO. She graduated from Savannah High School and attended North Central College in Naperville, IL. That is where she met her husband, Martin Gruneich, while he was attending the Evangelical Theological Seminary.

Together they served churches in North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa, he as the pastor and she as his secretary and also, at various times, church pianist, choir director, Sunday School teacher and women’s group leader. Verda was an officer on both the local and state levels of the United Presbyterian Woman. She also gave piano lessons and later worked for a printing company.

They retired to Bella Vista, AR in 1986, where Verda continued with her interest in music, traveling and reading. She was active in the Bella Vista Presbyterian Church, volunteered at the Helping Hands Consignment Store and worked with children at the Headstart Preschool.

Verda is survived by her four children, Martin “Rick” (Janet) Gruneich, Jr. of Rochester, MN, Marilee (Kent) Myers of West Des Moines, Linnell (Mark) Phillips of Iowa City, and Kevin (Donna) Gruneich of Park City, UT; 14 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, two brothers, and a sister.

Always a very loving and giving person, Verda continues to give in death, as she has deeded her body to the University of Iowa, College of Medicine to aid in medical teaching and research. A private family memorial service will be held.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1730 28th St. West Des Moines, IA 50266; www.alz.org. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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