Frederick "Fred" Howard Gruenberg, 96, longtime Minot resident died Thursday, November 30, 2017 in a Minot hospital.

Fred was born December 8, 1920 at Bismarck, North Dakota, the son of William and Irene (Harris) Gruenberg. He was raised and educated at Bismarck and Washburn where he was a foster child of the Gradin family.

Fred enlisted with the U.S. Army Air Corps on December 4, 1941 and honorably served his country in England and North Africa during World War II. He was honorably discharged on November 4, 1945 and returned to North Dakota. He attended Minot State Teacher's College, where he graduated with a degree in business and accounting. He was a member of the Honor Society and the Mu Sigs.

Fred was united in marriage to Lois Flom in 1951, and they adopted Lois's nephew Bob. Lois passed away on December 24, 1969. Fred was employed at the Gronvold-Blesener Olds Automotive dealership in 1951. He became business manager for the dealership and continued in that capacity until retiring in 1991. Fred was united in marriage to Theresa (Naumann) Kruse on July 10, 1971 in Minot blending two families.

Fred was a member of St Mark's Lutheran Church, Minot, where he served as an elder. He was also a member of the American Legion in Minot, serving as adjutant there and in later years was a member of the American Legion in Washburn. He belonged to the Disabled American Veterans, World War II Last Man's Club, where he served as president for 4 years. He was treasurer of the Souris Valley Men's Golf Club and served on the West River Water Board for many years.

Fred enjoyed golfing and playing pool until his eyes began to fail him and having coffee with friends at the mall.

He is survived by : his wife of 46 years, Theresa Gruenberg; step-children, Steven (Michelle) Kruse, Eagle River, AK, and Karlene (Monte) Johnson, Plymouth, MN; grandchildren, Justin (RaChelle) Gruenberg, Kenai, AK and Joshua (Erika) Gruenberg, Grand Forks, ND; step-grandchildren, Mike (Kendal) Kruse, Mark Kruse, Dustin (Janie) Trice, and Danielle (Tom Moffett) Trice, and great grandchildren, Rekker, Charles, Jacob, Kale, Renner and Steele.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Lois, son Robert Gruenberg, and a brother William.

Funeral service : Tuesday, December 5, 2017, at 10:30 am in St Mark's Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment: Tuesday at 3:00 pm in the North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery , Rural Mandan, ND
Visitation: Monday from 3:00 6:00 pm in Thomas family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to St Mark's, Dakota Boys' and Girls' Ranch or Trinity Hospice.