Rex Grinnell

Rexford John Grinnell, age 85, of Woodville, WI died on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at the Baldwin Hospital. He was born on May 27, 1925 in Hammond, WI, the son of Harold and Maud (Wachendorf) Grinnell. He was baptized in the Christian faith. Rex attended school in Hammond and at the age of 17 (1942) he enlisted in the US Navy. He was discharged in 1945, having served in WWII.

On November 28, 1953 Rex was united in marriage to Evelyn Olson of Woodville at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. This union was blessed with four children. They lived in Woodville for a few years, then moved to Hammond for several years, and then back to Woodville in 1985.

Rex worked for the St. Croix Couth Highway Department from 1951 to 1969. He then worked for the Village of Hammond from 1969 to 1988, at which time he retired. He enjoyed trout fishing and sports. He played on the Hammond Baseball Team for several years.

He was preceded in death by wife, Evelyn in 2004; three sons: twins, Ricky & Roland, and Terry; three brothers: Robert, Marvin, and Ronald; and two sisters-in-law, Irene (Jacobsen) Grinnell and Rosella (Paulson) Grinnell. Rex is survived by his two sons: Richard Grinnell of Woodville and Randy (Cheryl) Grinnell of Hudson; two daughters: Brenda (Kip) Lee of Woodville and Roxie Grinnell of Woodville; sisters-in-law, Dolores, Eva, Millie, Irene, Darlene; brother-in-law, Don; 15 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; his best friend, Loofer, and his coffee buddies; two very close & helpful grandchildren; Tara & Trevor Davis; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. He is also survived by a son, Gregory and his extended family in the Minneapolis area.

A memorial gathering will be held to celebrate Rex’s life on Tuesday, April 5th from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Baldwin, 715-684-3434. He will be privately interred at the Sunset Memorial Park in Woodville. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family are preferred.