Ronald H. Grunewald

Ronald H. Grunewald, 84, of Watertown, was called to his eternal home in Christ on Wednesday, July 7, 2026 in the care of Rainbow Hospice.

Ron was born on November 17, 1941, in Cambridge, Wisconsin, the son of Arnold and Rachel (Strasburg) Grunewald and baptized at Lake Mills Moravian Church on February 8, 1942. He grew up tending to farm animals and working with his grandparents on their farm. As a teenager Ron worked at Lake Mills Country Club. After graduating from Lake Mills High School in 1960, he went to Penn State where he earned a certificate in Turf Grass Management. He worked at Janesville Country Club and Wisconsin Rapids (1963-1965) before becoming Greens Superintendent at Lake Windsor Country Club (1965-1981). During this time Ron served in the US Army Air Guard at Truax field as a mechanic.

In 1981, Ron became Greens Superintendent at Watertown Country Club where he stayed until his retirement in 2004. Ron supervised many young people who worked on his crew, instilling in many of them a lifelong appreciation for beautiful landscape, hard work and humor.

Ron married Carol Bly on September 20, 1969 at Deforest Moravian Church and the couple enjoyed 56 years of marriage. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in October 2019 with family and friends, just prior to the onset of Ron’s struggle with dementia.

Ron was an active member of Watertown Moravian Church where he served as trustee, lawn care and snow removal lead volunteer. He was also the groundskeeper at Watertown Moravian Cemetery.

Ron participated in bowling and golf leagues and was a die-hard Packer and Badger fan and he also enjoyed watching Watertown Gosling sports, even after his kids graduated. He donated much of his time volunteering with Meals on Wheels and the Watertown Food Pantry. While working as greens superintendent, Ron had little time for playing golf, but he made up for that in retirement, logging many rounds of golf locally and wherever he traveled. Shooting his age at 76 was a proud moment.

One of Ron’s great joys was in being with his grandchildren to whom he read countless books, watched numerous sporting events, and shared his sense of humor.

Ron is survived by his wife Carol, children Robbie (Gabby) Grunewald, Amy (Ryan) Grunewald Mattison, grandchildren Elliott, Dietrich and Koen Mattison and Sena Grunewald. He is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Beatrice Voight.

Ron will be commended to God and laid to rest in Christ on August 9, 2026 at Ebenezer Moravian Cemetery at 1 pm, N8095 High Rd, Watertown. A time of fellowship and remembering will follow at Lindbergh’s by the River, 1413 Oconomowoc Ave, Watertown.

 Memorials may be directed to Rainbow Hospice or Make-A-Wish Foundation.