Garry Lloyd Grunke

Garry Lloyd Grunke was born May 27th, 1947 in Nampa, Idaho to Lester and Rose (nee Divin) Grunke. Dad's first years were spent on a farm not far from Star. Both his parents were children of the 1930's, who migrated from the midwest to the relative refuge of the Boise valley. Lester was a veteran of WWII, surviving campaigns on Tarawa and Okinawa, and dad’s connection of family and history would become a facet of his life. He was fascinated with the farm equipment, engines, and mechanical things that surrounded him.

The family moved to Nampa in the early 50's where dad attended school. Garry's love for the mechanical was matched with a voracity of interest in learning, as he found he was an equally gifted student of art and history. This was perhaps one of dad's defining traits: He could find the artistry in the workings of mechanical things, and distill the technical elements from art and literature. He worked many jobs in his youth, including groundskeeping at the Idaho State School for the disabled. His experiences there shaped how he would care for his own disabled son. Not long after graduating from the College of Idaho, he began work for the State of Idaho, which he would continue in different positions until retiring as a technical writer, where his profession required the meeting of art and craft into precise language.

Dad met Sharon Mercer in February, 1977. They married a year later and shared many happy times exploring Idaho together before starting their family. They designed and built their house near Eagle in 1988, living there the remainder of their life while caring for the special needs of their son, Philip.

Dad retired from the State in his 50's, affording himself nearly 23 years in retirement to focus on his hobbies, interests, and passing on his ardent wit and tenacity to the next generations of family. His honesty, humor, and exceptional knowledge of history will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Garry is survived by his loving wife Sharon (nee Mercer) of Eagle and sons Philip and David (Jessica) and grandson, Aiden; all making their home in the Boise valley. He is also survived by his brother Kevin (Trish) and multiple cousins in the surrounding areas of Idaho and Oregon.