Mark A. Grunwald, also known to many as “Gruny”, passed away unexpectedly on September 8, 2023, at home. Born June 16, 1956, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, he was the youngest son of late Ralph and Rose Mary Grunwald. Mark graduated from Oshkosh North High School, and attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business. In September 2022, Mark retired after 11 years of owning Mark and Susie’s Piggly Wiggly, and 47 years of working at other Piggly Wiggly locations.
Mark loved and was so proud of his children Sara, Michael and Jennifer, and he enjoyed watching them grow into successful adults. He cherished the little moments with them, whether it was chatting with Sara about current events, watching Michael coach his son’s baseball games, or going to the movies with Jennifer. While his retirement was short, Grandpa Gruny’s greatest accomplishment during this time was cheering on his grandson Eli at every baseball game he played this summer. And, his granddaughter Gemma could always count on him having a pocket full of fruit snacks.
Mark was dedicated to his work, and with the help of his wife Susie, created a community- and customer-focused business with Mark and Susie’s Piggly Wiggly. Always going above and beyond for their customers and others, Mark prided himself in helping people. Mark also enjoyed the special relationships he had with all of those he worked with over the years.
Anyone who talked to Mark, knew his love of sports, especially baseball and the Milwaukee Brewers. One of his favorite pastimes was to watch, listen, or go to Brewers games with family and friends. Mark liked to stay active, and in retirement he took up biking which quickly became part of his daily routine, riding all over Oshkosh.
Mark is survived by his wife, Susie, daughters Sara (Aaron Zakowski) Grunwald and Jennifer Grunwald, son Michael (Larissa) Grunwald, grandson Eli and granddaughter Gemma, brothers Tom (Diane) Grunwald and Tim Grunwald, sister-in-law Christine Grunwald, nephews Eric (Cheryl) Grunwald and Nathan (Taegan) Grunwald, and niece Jill (Carlos) Talbot. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jerry, and nephew Matthew.
A celebration of life will be held at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home, 100 Lake Pointe Drive in Oshkosh, from 11am-2pm on Sunday, October 1, 2023. Stop by anytime, wearing your Milwaukee Brewers attire. In lieu of flowers, monetary or food donations in Mark’s name can be made to the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry.
Sunday, October 1, 2023
11:00am - 2:00 pm (Central time)
Konrad-Behlman Funeral Homes - Westside
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