Arthur H. Gruenhagen, 88, passed on March 11, 2016 of natural causes at the Bitterroot Living Center, Stevensville, MT.
Bud was born February 8, 1928 in Choteau, MT, son of Arthur E. and Helen (Edwards) Gruenhagen. He grew up in the Ashuelot area near Fairfield. In 1946, along with enlisting in the U.S. Army, he married Maxine Depner. They later divorced. He was assigned to serve in Honolulu, Hawaii as a Tech Sgt. He was discharged in 1949. He returned home to the Choteau area where he worked for Safeway. He also worked for Meadow Gold, several years for KFBB in Great Falls, and later worked with the Office of State Forester Fire Prevention (DNRC) in Missoula for 14 years. His last job was with the City of Missoula working for Com & Sign shop for 10 years where he finally retired and moved back to Great Falls. In Great Falls he later married his current wife, Grace (Smiley) Gruenhagen.
Throughout his life he was involved with the State Search and Rescue and was a Past Post Commander of the VFW. He has served as the Alberton Town Marshal and as a special Deputy with Missoula County S.O. for many years.
Bud is preceded in death by a daughter Martha Bruno and two sisters, Gert Fairchild of Wisconsin and Lucille Powell of Libby, MT.
He is survived by two sons, Ken (Pat) of Stevensville, MT, and Dave (Linda) of Reedsport, OR; a daughter Bonnie (Jim) Cartwright of Great Falls, MT; two grandsons, six granddaughters, many great grandchildren, and several great great grandchildren.
Bud loved telling stories of the past. His smile and healthy laugh will be remembered by all.
“Absent from the body – Present with the Lord.”
A military graveside service was held on Monday, March 21 at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Missoula, MT.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.