This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: ChgoKid Surnames: Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.wisconsin.counties.shawano/16362/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Obituaries: Wausau Area (WI) - December 13, 2005 Deceased Name: Alfred G. Gresens Alfred G. Gresens, 89, La Crosse, died peacefully in his sleep Saturday, Dec. 10, 2005, at Lakeview Health Center in West Salem. He was born May 23, 1916, in Marathon, son of the late Robert and Ella (Plautz) Gresens. After graduation from Marathon High School, Alfred earned a teaching degree from the Marathon County Normal School. He taught for several years at a one-room school in rural Marathon County, then following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he answered his country's call to duty by enlisting in the U.S. Navy. Upon completion of his training at Corpus Christi, Texas, he served in the Pacific Theatre aboard the Aircraft Carrier, U.S.S. Santee. He was severely wounded and burned, but was nursed back to health after a miraculous rescue by a Navy destroyer escort. Upon his return to health and civilian life, he married Irma Marie Heise on Aug. 31, 1946. Continuing his teacher education pursuits, he became a parochial school teacher in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. His first call to teach was at Our Saviors Lutheran School in Wausau, where he had the privilege to teach along with his younger brother, Wilmer. In 1953, he accepted a call to teach and serve as principal at Garden Homes Lutheran School in Milwaukee, and then in 1960 he accepted a call to St. Matthew's Lutheran School in Appleton. He finished out his career at St. Matthew's as a teacher and principal, retiring from teaching in 1981. In his more than 40 years of teaching, he touched the lives of literally thousands of school children and their parents. He was a tough and demanding teacher who wanted each pupil to reach their fullest potential, but who cared even more about developing their Christian character and love for their Savior. The dreams he and his beloved Irma had for an active and happy retirement were dashed when she suffered from early on-set dementia. But his faith in God and his love for his wife shone through as he cared for her needs, first at their home in La Crosse and then at La Crosse Hillview Nursing Home until her death in 1991. Survivors include his son, William (Kathleen) Gresens, La Crosse; three grandchildren, Elizabeth (Thomas) Teegan, Holmen, and their children, Tommy and Jack, Nicholas (Jill) Gresens, Bloomington, Ind., and their son, Connor, and Joseph Gresens, New Orleans. He is further survived by his younger brother, Wilmer Gresens, Aniwa; his younger sister, Arvilla (James) Berens, Wausau; his sisters-in-law, Adelheid Baumann and Violet Gresens; brother-in-law, James Berens; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his very dear and faithful friend, Rita Heintz, La Crosse. Besides his parents and beloved wife, Irma, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Alvin, Walter and Harry Gresens; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Emma Heise; his brothers-in-law, Martin Heise and Hilbert Baumann; and sisters-in-law, Helen Gresens and Georgette Gresens. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, 2005, at St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church in Marathon. The Rev. Jon Hadler will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery, where military honors will be conducted by members of the Marathon American Legion. Friends may call Wednesday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home in Marathon, and again Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Matthew Lutheran School in Appleton. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com. Obituaries: Wausau Area (WI) Date: December 13, 2005 Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.