Thursday, August 1, 2024 ~ 10:00 a.m.
St. Joseph Catholic Church ~ Colon, Nebraska
Interment with Military Honors at St. Francis Cemetery ~ Wahoo, Nebraska
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Visitation ~ 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Knights of Columbus Rosary ~ 7:00 p.m.
St. Joseph Catholic Church ~ Colon, Nebraska
St. John Vianney Association or Saunders Catholic School Bus Fund.
Aloysius “Al” P. Gruenes, 88 of Colon, NE entered into eternal rest on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at South Haven Living Center in Wahoo, NE. He was born June 27, 1936 in Eden Valley, MN to Anton and Anna (Koltoff) Gruenes. After high school Al attended herdsmanship training at the University of Missouri in Springfield, MO. He worked for Clyde Dairy as a herdsman, then became self-employed and finished his career at Select Sires. Al served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After his military service he was united in marriage to Rosalia “Sis” Auffert on December 28, 1968 at St. Columbia Church in Conception, MO.
Al was a devoted member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where he cooked for the church canoe trips and for the Colon Parish roast beef dinner. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1833 4th Degree, American Legion Post #265 and a member of the Colon Volunteer Fire Department.
He enjoyed gardening, fishing, Polka music and woodworking.
Al is survived by his children: Dan (Marie) Gruenes of Cedar Bluffs, NE and Julie (Rodney) Swanson of Wahoo, NE; grandchildren: Alex (Morgan) Johnson, Seth (Bailey) Johnson, Conner (Kelsey) Johnson, Jonathan (fiancé, Darian Ogden) Swanson and Elizabeth (fiancé, Chase Ott) Swanson; great-grandchildren: Emery Swanson, Cooper Johnson and Brynn Johnson; siblings, Joe (Anna Mae) Gruenes, Jack (Mary) Gruenes, Tony (Mary) Gruenes, Teresa Stang; sister-in-law, Grace Gruenes; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Rose Gruenes; parents, Anton and Anna Gruenes; siblings, Pete Gruenes, Fr. Bernie Gruenes, Margie Gruenes, Rita Gruenes; brother-in-law, Arnie Stang.
Rest in peace Uncle Al will always remember you taking us into your dairy and having fresh milk and chocolate milk always a wonderful childhood memory love to you and all your family
Rest in peace my dear friend. I sure am going to miss you!! Give Rose a hug for me!
Thinking of you and your family.
Hope the thought of him being at peace and in loving arms help your days go by easier.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers ❤️ 🙏🏻
Did not know Al except from sitting in front of him in church. Loved his resounding, beautiful voice with the songs & prayers, knew he was a man of great faith.
He enriched our lives & our grandchildren’s by his faith just from the short times on Saturday night we were able to witness his love for God.
Rest in Peace dear Al!
I met Al at the Senior center, I was a volunteer in the thrift shop where he also spent many hours. He always greeted me with a smile and something positive to think about. He will be missed for sure.
My sincere sympathy to all of Al’s family. Tho I didn’t know him and Rose for many years I am grateful for the time I did know them. They were among the most wonderful people I have ever known. They were very kind and welcoming to me. I can envision Rose greeting Al with open arms. Al’s roast beef dinners were so wonderful. Rest in well deserved peace, Al, your work on Earth is finished and appreciated.