In lieu of flowers memorials to Mount Hope Lutheran Church would be appreciated.
Died Peacefully Monday, June 5, 2017, age 92. Son of Arnold and Selma. Loving husband of Jean for 69 years. Dear father of James (Nancy), Bruce (Karen), Diane (John) Guenther-Weis and Jay (Janis). Proud grandfather of Emilie (Ray) Dubert, Graham Guenther, Cory Hughes (Corey Cleghorn), Brad (Kena), Gary (Reghan) Guenther, Sara (Jordan) Hall, Matthew (Rachel)Continue Reading
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Died Peacefully Monday, June 5, 2017, age 92. Son of Arnold and Selma. Loving husband of Jean for 69 years. Dear father of James (Nancy), Bruce (Karen), Diane (John) Guenther-Weis and Jay (Janis). Proud grandfather of Emilie (Ray) Dubert, Graham Guenther, Cory Hughes (Corey Cleghorn), Brad (Kena), Gary (Reghan) Guenther, Sara (Jordan) Hall, Matthew (Rachel) Guenther. Proud Great Grandfather of Quinn, Judah, Cora Dubert, Emma and Olivia Cleghorn, Maya Hughes, Harper and Kelsey Guenther, Clayton, Sloan, Logan Hall, Grayson and Jackson Guenther. Survived by his brothers Arnold (Gladys) and Eugene (Marilyn).
Gale served as president of A. Guenther & Sons Co. and worked with his father and brothers building churches, schools, and commercial buildings. Gale lived a full rich life, his greatest joy came through love of family, friends, travel, making wine, fishing and eating popcorn. Gale proudly served in US Marine Corps in WWII.
Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at Mount Hope Lutheran Church, 8633 West Becher Street, West Allis, Wisconsin. Visitation in chapel, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Memorial Service at 5:00 PM, where Gale was a long time member and served the church singing in the choir, the Minstrels, teaching Sunday School, president, boards and committees.
In lieu of flowers memorials to Mount Hope Lutheran Church would be appreciated.
Gale Gordon Guenther was born on March 10, 1925 in New London, Wisconsin to Arnold and Selma Guenther. When he was a small child, the family moved to West Allis, Wisconsin. Arnold and Selma had two more sons, Arnold Jr. and Eugene.
Gale enjoyed his childhood and growing up years doing the usual things boys do: playing with the neighborhood kids, catching snakes, shooting marbles, playing baseball in the summer and ice skating in the winter. His schooling was in West Allis and he graduated from Nathan Hale High School in 1943. During his high school years, much of his time was spent playing football, basketball and track. Gale was a pole vaulter and was proud when he broke a state record using a bamboo pole.
Immediately after graduation, Gale joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in the Marine Attack Squadron VMF 223. His active service time was primarily on Okinawa and he held the rank of Sergeant at discharge.
When Gale was a boy, he went to work with his dad. It was the beginning of his lifework as a builder. At the end of WWII, Gale joined his dad in the construction business. He completed the bricklayer and mason apprenticeship program. Arnie and Eugene joined the business and it became A. Guenther & Sons Company. The company was known for doing quality work and could boast of building over 100 churches in the greater Milwaukee area including Mount Hope Lutheran Church. Some of the other projects were: the Klotsche Center at UWM, South Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant, Waukesha State Office Building, many schools and commercial buildings.
Gale felt it was important to work with the associations that promoted the construction industry. He served as president of Associated General Contractors, Master Builders, Allied Construction Employers Association and was honored to be named Construction Man of the Year by the A.C.E.A. Gale took great pride in each building and on the traditional Sunday afternoon drive with the family, he would drive by buildings in progress or completed ones and explain the building process. This was followed with the traditional ham and rolls supper.
Mount Hope Lutheran Church was an important part of his life. He attended Sunday school, participated in Luther League and as an adult taught Sunday school, sang with the choir and the Minstrels, served as president and on many boards and committees.
Gale met Jean at a Luther League meeting. Their friendship grew through the many letters exchanged during his time in service. The friendship grew into love and they were married on October 4, 1947.
Gale and Jean had four children: James, Bruce, Diane and Jay. It was a happy, busy family filled with work and play. There were Barbie dolls, chemical experiments, trains and trucks, fish fries with Gale’s famous French Fries, Sunday night supper with hot dogs roasted in the fireplace and always lots of popcorn!
Life was never dull for Gale. He started making wine after he retired. The family encouraged him to enter his wine at the Wisconsin State Fair where he won many ribbons and five best of show awards. He was honored that his Concord wine was used for communion at Mount Hope and several other churches. Diane learned to make wine with her Dad and is continuing the tradition.
Gale enjoyed traveling with Jean and good friends, camping, racquetball, bowling and golf, but most of all, he enjoyed fishing. If he had a fish pole in his hand, he was a happy man!
Family was the center of life for Gale. When the children married, he rejoiced as the family circle grew. He celebrated as each grandchild was born and watched them grow up and have children of their own. The family circle widened as 13 great grandchildren arrived. Each of the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are unique and held a special place in his heart. Some live nearby and others far away; Graham serves as a missionary in South Korea. The last family gathering was Christmas, 2016. It was a grand, noisy celebration. The house was full and so was Gale’s heart.
Gale lived a rich, full life: loved by family and friends. He was blessed and he was a blessing to others.
He will be deeply missed.
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