Muriel Gries

Funeral services for Muriel R. Gries will be held at 10:30 AM Thursday, June 27, 2019 at Concordia Bear Lake Lutheran Church, rural Albert Lea, with Rev. Daphne Hamborg officiating.  Burial will follow in Bear Lake Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4 – 7 PM on Wednesday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea and again one hour prior to the service at the church.

Muriel died how she lived her life – surrounded by her family on Sunday, June 23, 2019 at St. John’s Lutheran Community in Albert Lea.  She was 91 years old.

Muriel Rosella (Klukow) was born on September 21, 1927 in Albert Lea, MN to Frank and Ella (Nasen) Klukow.  She attended country school, and then graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1945.  On June 30, 1946, she was united in marriage to Walter Wichmann.  Together, they raised four children.  Walter passed away in 1978.  In 1980, Muriel married Donald Gries and would make their home in Geneva until Don’s death in 1987.  She then relocated to Albert Lea where she lived the remainder of her life.

Muriel was a devout Christian, always having the Lord at the center of her life.  She was baptized, confirmed, and married at Concordia Bear Lake Lutheran Church.  She was a member of WELCA and the Ruth Circle, and taught Sunday school for many years.  She was also a member of the Conger Mother’s Club and a 4-H Leader when her children were growing up.  Muriel enjoyed gardening, going out for coffee, and was an excellent cook – cinnamon rolls were her specialty!  She enjoyed going with her family to Branson, MO.  Muriel always had an open-door policy; everyone was welcomed on the farm, and there was always a pot of coffee on the stove.  Above all, Muriel loved her family more than anything else.  Any moment spent with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren was when Muriel was happiest.

She is survived by her children, Annette (Lowell) Bruns, Douglas (Diane) Wichmann, Warren (Terri) Wichmann, and Jean Wichmann; a special “mother and grandmother” to George (Brenda), Paul (Marilyn), Mary, Loren (Janet), Allan (Cindy) Wichmann and their families; grandchildren, Scott (Lindsey) Tina (Erik), Tim (Rene’e), Amber (Mark), Amy (Rob), Jessica (Ryan), Angela (Will), Zachary, Cody, and Holly; great-grandchildren, Ella, Isaac, Calvin, Irie, Apollo, Ryker, Amaya, Aviana, Jace, Emma, Lucas, Sam, Jagger, Stella, Dakota, Roman, Jewelty, June, and Jerry; brother, Lawrence Klukow; sister in-law, Verle Wichmann; as well as many loving extended relatives and friends.

Muriel is preceded in death by both parents, Frank and Ella; husbands, Walter Wichmann and Donald Gries; a daughter, Catherine in infancy; brother, Norman (Pearl) Klukow; brothers and sisters in-law, Marge, August, Theodore, Harry (Shirley), Frieda (Einer), Leona (Albert), Alma (Earl), Viola (Herbert), and Albert (Lorraine).

The family would like to thank staff members at Oak Park Place, The Meadows of St. John’s, and Sheltering Arms at St. John’s Lutheran Community for their wonderful care and attention shown towards Muriel.

Blessed be her memory; She was a blessing to all who knew her!