Earle Grueskin 1929 - 2009

GRUESKIN, FRANZEN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 7/18/2020 at 19:59:00

Sioux City Journal
5 February 2009

SIOUX CITY -- Earle Grueskin, 79, formerly of Sioux City died Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009. The cause of death was a rare brain tumor, primary central nervous system lymphoma, which did not respond to treatment. He died peacefully in his home with the support of his family physician and San Diego Hospice.

Memorial services will be 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at the Woodbury County Courthouse Rotunda, with the Rev. Frederick Lubs officiating. The body was cremated.

Earle was born in Sioux City on Oct. 21, 1929, the son of Matilda Rose Grueskin and Esack "Zeke" Nathan Grueskin. He went to Bryant Elementary, North Junior High and graduated from Central High School. He graduated from Northwestern University in 1951 with a degree in economics. He lived most of his life in Sioux City, devoting much of his life to public service.

He married Joanne Franzen in New York City in 1961. He worked in Chicago for CBS Radio for a short time following college, before returning to Sioux City for broadcast work for both radio and television. He was president and general manager of Dividend Bonded Gas, family owned discount stations, until they were sold in 1981. He worked for Rosenthal Foods before becoming the 17th employee for Gateway Computers in 1988 as corporate director of facilities and construction until his retirement in 1997.

He was elected and served on the city council of Sioux City from 1964 to 1971. He was mayor for a two-year term during 1968 and 1969. He was later elected and served on the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors from 1982 to 1996. He also served many different community organizations including the Community Theater, Sioux City Arts Center, Morningside College, Security National Bank, Sioux City Chamber of Commerce, St. Luke's Hospital, Alzheimer's Association and Saturday in the Park.

He will be remembered for his sharp wit, his candor and integrity and his wonderful sense of humor. He had many passions during his life including politics, music, theater and travel. Going to the movies was a deep love of his and family and friends would get his recommendations for the best ones. He loved to plan ahead for live music, especially blues and rock and roll. He eagerly attended concerts at Coors Amphitheater in Chula Vista, Calif., Saturday in the Park in Sioux City, live performances at local venues or stadiums all over the Midwest, enjoying Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, James Taylor, Neil Young, to name only a few. He loved to travel, New York City and San Francisco were his favorites, where he would spend time walking, seeing movies, live music, enjoying the food and going to the theater with Joanne. He was a big sports fan. His favorite team was the St. Louis Cardinals, and loved it then they were at the top of the league.

One of his other passions in life was family. He was a loving husband, proud father, youngest brother, funny grandfather and everything in between. Some of his children's fondest memories will be the discussions and happenings at the Grueskin dinner table, storytelling, politics and family antics. His love of family extended far beyond his own. Many of his children's friends feel as if they were part of the extended Grueskin family.

Earle and Joanne moved to Carlsbad, Calif., in 2000 following his retirement from Gateway.

He is survived by his wife; five children, Tom Grueskin and his wife, Meredith of Carlsbad, Calif., Jim Grueskin and his wife, Maggie of Houston, Texas, Pat Grueskin of Colorado Springs, Colo., Kathy and her husband, Doug Chisholm of Arvada, Colo., and Dennis Grueskin and his wife, North of Campbell, Calif.; nine grandchildren, Esack, Zoe, Bella, Ryley, Gunnar, Birgen, Fraser, Zuzu and Race; his brother, Harold Grueskin and his wife, Rosie of Denver, Colo.; his sister, Doris and her husband, Eddie Sherman of Bloomington, Minn.; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in his name be made to the Woodbury County Courthouse Foundation, Attn.: Patty Erickson-Puttmann, 620 Douglas, Room B05, Sioux City, IA. 51101 or the Alzheimer's Association, Attn.: Mark Hopkins, 225 N. Michigan, Chicago, Ill. 60601.