Walter R. Gruling, 101, of 9408 Town Line Road, Wausau, died Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at his home.

Walter was born Oct. 4, 1910, in Hamburg, Wis., the seventh of 20 children to the late Robert C. and Otilie (Zastrow) Gruling. The country was in the Great Depression. Thus, during 1929-1930, Walter and his brother Ted, obtained temporary employment at Nieman's Fox farm in Thiensville, Wis. Later, in 1931, he returned home to help on the farm in Hamburg until he obtained employment at AO Smith in Milwaukee where they constructed car frames for General Motors. Between layoffs, he also worked at Armour Packing Plant. After several layoffs, he returned to Hamburg and worked at a logging camp in New Wood, Wis.

On Oct. 23, 1939, Walter married Justina Heil at St. Mary's rectory in Marathon. They both worked for a prominent family in Fox Point — Walter as a butler, chauffeur and handyman, and Justina as a maid and cook. Later, in 1941, they purchased the farm in the town of Wausau where they continued to farm until their retirement in 1976. Justina passed away Feb. 6, 1977.

He is survived by his son, David (Margaret) of Wausau; three grandchildren, Mandy Thompson (special friend, Darel Boelkens), Matthew Gruling (special friend, Shelley Nelson) and Justina Gruling; three stepgrandchildren, Butch L. (Amber) Pasch, Christina (Edward) Hurst and Benjiman Pasch; two stepgreat-grandchildren, Samantha and Nichole Hurst; two siblings, Betty (Robert) Tierney, Wausau, and Robert (Eppie) Gruling, Merrill; sisters-in-law, Elaine Gruling, Merrill, Lee Gruling, Montello, and Lucile Osmanki, Milwaukee; and many nieces and nephews.

He was further preceded in death by three brothers, Ted, Victor and Gerhart; six sisters, Elisa Sodke, Hattie Riemer, Olga Kriehn, Viola Mohrland, Irma Kriewald and Mary Ann Gruling; and eight siblings in infancy.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, at Zion Lutheran Church, Wausau, where Walter was a member. The Rev. Steven Gjerde will officiate. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery.