Merlen G. Gruenhagen was born Sunday, March 13, 1927 in New Ulm, Minnesota .
he died Saturday, April 17, 2004. his recorded age was 77.
he was a veteran .
GRUENHAGEN Merlen George Gruenhagen, age 77, of Columbus, passed on to eternal life on Saturday, April 17, 2004 at Kobacker House, Hospice at Riverside. Born March 13, 1927 in New Ulm, MN, he grew up in Cedar Mills, MN and graduated from Hutchinson High School. He was a World War II US Navy veteran. He received his BS and MA in education from the University of Minnesota and a MA in Deaf Education from Gallaudet College. Merlen served as Principal and Assistant Superintendent of the Ohio School for the Deaf for 29 years, after teaching in Deaf Education programs in North Dakota, New York, and Duluth, MN. After retirement, he worked as a guard at the Columbus Museum of Art. Left to mourn are Janis, his wife of nearly 46 years; sons, Timothy (Kristen) of Hamilton, OH and Jack (Jean) of Columbus; sister, Marilyn (Bob) Vrudny of Burnsville, MN; grandchildren, Benjamin, George, Samantha, Lauren, Isabel, and Paul; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A funeral service will be held 11:30 a.m. Thursday, April 22, 2004 at Ascension Lutheran Church, 1479 Morse Road, Columbus, with Rev. Arthur F. Haimerl officiating. A private family interment will take place at Walnut Grove Cemetery. Friends may call at the RUTHERFORD-CORBIN FUNERAL HOME, WORTHINGTON CHAPEL, 515 High Street, Worthington, OH (3 blocks south of SR 161), from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gerlach Adult Day Program at Riverside Hospital, Ascension Lutheran Church, or the Gruenhagen Fund at the Ohio School for the Death c/o Ray Engebretson, 500 Morse Road, Columbus, OH 43229. His gentle spirit and irrepressible wit will be missed by all and the world is poorer for his passing. "School's out--Teacher has gone home."