Margaret Gruenwald, 83, of Redfield, SD, passed away on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at the Community Memorial Hospital Avera in Redfield. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. with family present on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield. Rosary followed by a Time of Sharing starting at 6:00 p.m.

Her Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 29, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, with burial to follow at St. Bernard's Catholic Cemetery. Reverend John Short will officiate. Lunch and fellowship will follow the burial.

The funeral service will be live-streamed to the funeral home's website, below Margaret's obituary. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home of Redfield ( www.hykefuneralhome.com ).

Margaret Mary (Leesch) Gruenwald was born on January 1, 1939, to Ernest and Eulalia (Robinson) Leesch at Mrs. Delaney's Maternity Home in Redfield, SD.

Her early years were spent growing up with her siblings on their farm near Ashton. She attended the one-room Leesch Country School just a mile from their farm through the eighth grade. She then finished her high school years in Redfield, graduating in 1956. She was the Redfield Snow Queen in 1957.

Margaret married James E. Gruenwald, Jr. on May 30, 1961, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Redfield. She spent the early years of their marriage raising their daughters before going to work for Dr. Francis Hoch and later his son Dr. Randall Hoch, work she enjoyed very much. Margaret then went on to work at the Spink Co. FSA office until retiring in 2001 at the age of 62.

During their married life, Jim, Margaret, and their daughters spent most summer weekends traveling with the Redfield Sales Fastpitch team to tournaments across the state. Margaret was a great cheerleader in the stands with the other wives. Many happy memories and lifelong friends were made for their families.

One of her favorite pastimes was bowling on the league with the Hamm's Beer Team, sponsored by Lyle Brown, in Redfield on Monday nights. Margaret was also a faithful library card holder at Carnegie Library in Redfield and spent many hours scanning the bookshelves. Her children and grandchildren also gained this love of books with her and made beautiful memories going to the library with Mom and Grandma to check out their books.

As they grew older, camping with their family was a favorite pastime during the summer months. Many special memories were made with the grandchildren in campgrounds across South Dakota. Sitting at Grandma's camper table playing Crazy Eight, King's Corner, or other card games is a memory many won't forget.

Later in life, Margaret and Jim enjoyed traveling to many places across the United States, but they were most passionate about attending their grandchildren's sporting events. No one was a bigger fan than Grandma Gruenwald. More than one referee or coach received a Grandma Gruenwald scolding from the stands.

Her Catholic faith was a significant part of her life. No matter what town the family was in on the weekend, finding the Catholic Church and making it to Mass was a top priority for her.

Following retirement, Margaret devoted her life to her children and grandchildren. Grandma was always there for a grandchild that needed care or a daughter who needed her mom for advice or comfort.

Preceding Margaret in death: son, William James Gruenwald – January 16, 1966; granddaughter, Trisha Marie (Forgey) Whitley; great-grandchild, Baby Buer; brothers-in-law Donald "Kayo" Bohl, Arthur Schaffer, John Gruenwald, Jerry Hansen; sister-in-law Hollie Leesch.

Grateful for sharing her life with her is her husband James of Redfield; daughters: Diane (Scott) Forgey and Dawn (Roger) Waldner, both of Redfield; Susan (Rick Beidler) Baxter of Rockham; Sara (Daniel) Peterson of Northville. Grandchildren: Aubrey (Gerrit) Schuurmans, Dana (Nathan) Buer, Randall (Stephanie) Waldner, Rikki (Marty) Delaney, Rachel (Joshua) Meyer, Megan (William) Rozell, Blaise (Shelby Hauswedell) Baxter, Danielle Waldner, Jordon (Nicholas) Esser, and Dalton Peterson. Great-grandchildren: Dylan, Mason, and Adrian Whitley, Gerrit and Kolbie Schuurmans, Kamryn Buer, and baby Buer due March 23', Soren Waldner, Madisyn and Jett Delaney, Hayden and Weston Rozell. Siblings: Barbara Schaffer of Ashton; Angela Hansen of Redfield; Ernest Leesch of Sioux Falls; and Deborah Leesch of Redfield. In-laws: Joan Bohl of Brentford; Judy (Richard) Fredrickson of Zell; Barbara Gruenwald of Napa, California; Jolene (Nick) Rude of Redfield; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made to the Carnegie Library (5 East 5th Avenue, Redfield, SD, 57469) or St. Bernard's Catholic Church (217 East 6th Avenue, Redfield, SD, 57469) in honor of Margaret Gruenwald.

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Thanks to the participants in Margaret's service:

Clergy ~ Reverend John Short

Lector ~ Randall Waldner

Organist ~ Barb Baus

Cantor and Soloist ~ Mark Schaffer

Bearers ~ Grandchildren:

Aubrey Schuurmans, Dana Buer, Randall Waldner,

Rikki Delaney, Rachel Meyer, Megan Rozell, Blaise Baxter,

Danielle Waldner, Jordon Esser, Dalton Peterson

Honorary Bearers:

Margaret's Great-Grandchildren

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