Richard A. (Rick) Gruetzmacher went to heaven on Sept. 22, 2013, after fighting a courageous 11-year battle with cancer.
He was born on July 3, 1956, in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, to Alvin and Arlette Gruetzmacher. Rick graduated from Merrill High School in 1974 and then eventually became an owner/operator of his own trucking business. Rich was also a member of St. John Lutheran Church.
One of Rick’s greatest pleasures was playing in several bands, with the latest being the “Campfire Guys.”
He married Peggy Cohrs on Oct. 6, 2001, his soulmate and the love of his life.
His is survived by his wife, Peggy; his mother, Arlette Gruetzmacher, Merrill; his children, Ben (Tanya) Gruetzmacher, of Owen, Amanda (Jason) Peskie, of Almond, Philipp (Delina) Kiefer, of Roseburg, OR; and his grandchildren, Nash, Hunter and MaKayla. He is Nash and Hunter’s Godfather also. He is further survived by one brother, David (Judy) Gruetzmacher, of Wausau; and two sisters, Carol (Tom) Lubovich, of Minnesota, and Kathleen (Wendell) Gruetzmacher-Brown, of New Mexico; several nieces and nephews; his mother- and father-in-law, Philipp and Nancy Cohrs, Merrill; and his brother- and sister-in-law, Peter and Julie Rajek, Merrill. He was preceded in death by his father, Alvin Gruetzmacher, and his grandparents.
A memorial service will be held at St. John Lutheran Church in Merrill on Saturday, Sept. 28, with visitation at 1:30 p.m. until the time of service at 3 p.m. with Pastor Kramer officiating.