Dale Gritzmacher

Gritzmacher, Dale MADISON Dale Gritzmacher, age 80, passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2008. The last several years Dale suffered from dementia and recently lung cancer, despite the fact that he was not a smoker. He was born on May 27, 1927, in Windsor, the son of Bernice and George Gritzmacher. Dale married Jean Grant in 1950. They had four children. Dale served in the United States Navy, sailing on the USS Com Stock. He became a firefighter with the City of Madison in 1955. He worked his way up the ranks and retired as a district chief in 1982. Dale was a passionate outdoorsman. He spent much of his free time fishing and hunting. Dale really enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. He was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church. His involvement with Bethel was working at Bethel Horizons, Befrienders Program and helped in the kitchen. He is survived by his wife, Jean, a resident at Oakwood Village East Nursing home; son, Larry (Janet) of Cottage Grove; daughters, Dawn Collins of McFarland, and Jill (Brian) Wolff of Madison; grandchildren, Michael and Michelle Gritzmacher, Nichole and Joshua Wolff, and Lydia Collins; a great-grandchild, Brady Ring; and sisters-in-law, Joan and Betty. He was preceded in death by his son, Dean; parents; brother, George; sister, Hope; half brother, David Smith; son-in-law, Larry Collins; and brothers-in-law, Eugene Knudtson and Gordon Heggesta. Funeral services will be held at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, on Friday, April 4, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. Burial will be at Windsor Congregational Cemetery. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, on Thursday, April 3, 2008, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. And also from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service on Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Dale had been a resident at Oakwood Village East for the past four years. His family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the many men and women who cared for him and enjoyed his company. His last weeks were spent at HospiceCare and he received exceptional care from those who helped him go in peace. Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420 www.gundersonfh.com