Rev. Reuben Grueneich

Rock Rapids, IA      Rev. Reuben Grueneich, age 88 formerly of Rock Rapids, IA died Friday, December 28, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society in George, IA.      Funeral service will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at Faith Baptist Church in Rock Rapids with Rev. Jeff Poppinga officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids.      Visitation with family present will be Wednesday from 9:30 AM to time of service at 11:00 AM at Faith Baptist Church in Rock Rapids.      Reuben Grueneich was born April 17, 1930 in Underwood, ND to Gottlieb and Magdalena (Schauer) Grueneich. He received his early education in Underwood. Reuben began his calling to be a Pastor by attending CTI Christian Training Institute in Edmonton, Alberta Canada. It was there while attending school that he met and married Ruth Strauss on July 24, 1954. The young couple set out on their lives together to raise a family and serve the Lord. Reuben and Ruth moved to Sioux Falls, SD where he finished his education and graduated from the North American Baptist Seminary in 1959. Reuben served many churches over the years. The first of which was a small country church near Dell Rapids, SD while he was still in Seminary. After four years of service to that church they moved to Golden Prairie, Saskatchewan, Canada where another congregation was waiting. After serving in Golden Prairie for 4 years, he then moved his family to Martin, ND, where he served for 6 years, the last years there he also served Rosenfeldt Baptist Church. He then moved his family to Startup, WA. Reuben always remembered fondly the beauty of God’s creation while living in Washington state. The next call was to Linton, ND where he remained for 5 years after which he and his ministry was called to Rock Rapids. The congregation was meeting at the Christian Reformed Church school at that time. Plans were being discussed to build a new Baptist church in Rock Rapids and in 1979 Reuben had the privilege of leading the church as they moved into their new home of worship at its present location. In 1993 Reuben once again was called to serve at a new location, Village Creek Bible Camp. The final move was to Center Baptist in Lansing, IA. Reuben was forced into retirement after a terrible accident he experienced with his wife in 2004. He tried to carry on after the long medical recovery, but it proved to be too much. His body would not allow him to continue doing what he loved and had done for so long. Reuben was a wonderful pastor. He served his congregations with the greatest of love and compassion. His patience knew no bounds. He was always soft spoken and caring. Slow to speak and long to listen, many found comfort in his counsel.      His family will remember him as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was easy going with a great and dry sense of humor, forever lived pulling his little pranks on his family. You never knew when you might find rolled up newspaper in the end of your shoes or your sleeves rolled to the elbows the next time you went to put on your coat. He would grin when accused of these shenanigans. But mostly, Reuben was a true man of God. His most precious satisfaction in life was leading people to the Lord. He knew there was no greater decision one could make. Many are either in Heaven now or will be because Reuben answered God’s call so many years ago.      He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ruth; son, Daniel Grueneich of Branson, MO; daughter, Sharilyn (Keith) Kooiker of Rock Rapids, IA; son, Rodney Grueneich of Branson, MO; grandchildren Kara (Doug) Rigsby and their children of Gillette, WY, Evan and Katelynn; Kendra Kooiker of Sioux Falls, SD; and Kayla (Ryan) Peters of Harrisburg, SD and their children, Dayton and Haylie; many nieces, nephews and other extended family members.      Reuben was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Hulda, Elsie, Alma, Leora, Esther and Edna; brothers, Arthur and Edwin.