Cindy Lee (Heminger) Greunke

Cindy Lee Greunke, age 64, of Marshfield, died peacefully on August 15, 2022. A funeral will be held on Friday, September 16th at 11:00am at Christ Lutheran Church in Marshfield, with visitation from 9:30-11:00am. Burial will take place at a later date at Restlawn Memorial Park in Wisconsin Rapids.

Cindy was born June 21, 1958 to Dale and Yvonne (Gabler) Heminger in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. Cindy graduated from Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids in 1976 and from the St. Joseph’s School of Radiologic Technology in 1979. She worked as a radiologic technologist at a hospital in Kaukauna for about a year before accepting a position at Marshfield Clinic. Cindy retired after 37 years of service in 2017. On May 23, 1981 Cindy was united in marriage to Steven Greunke at Christ Lutheran Church in Marshfield, WI.

Cindy was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Marshfield for her adult life. She and Steve were active members of both the choir and the hand-bell choir for many years.

Cindy was exceptionally skilled in knitting, crocheting, cross stitching, sewing, and quilting. She used her skills to lovingly create many wonderful handmade gifts for her extended family and friends. Like her Grandma Gabler before her, Cindy’s hands were always busy making a project (or three) any time she sat down. She was so skilled at knitting that she could fall asleep and her hands wouldn’t stop knitting for awhile. She could also knit a sweater and read a book at the same time. Cindy was an avid Green Bay Packers fan. She was a life-long blood donor. She filled their home with many of her beautiful quilts, afghans, and plants. Cindy loved traveling and having new experiences with her family. She and Steve traveled to all fifty states and to many countries around the world.

Cindy was a quiet, thoughtful person who positively impacted those around her. She listened well to people, then she often made them gifts to show them she cared and knew what was important. She made time for people and she loved to laugh. Cindy was a voracious reader her entire life and would pass along a bag of books to her sister and sister-in-law whenever they visited. Cindy enjoyed all kinds of music and went to many, many concerts over her lifetime.

She loved Steve deeply and relished the times they were together, especially over a good meal. Family was very important to Cindy. She showed that by attending every event that her children were involved in. She encouraged her children to pursue what they were interested in. She made extra effort to take her family on beautiful vacations throughout the U.S. each year. She was always the vacation planner. Maintaining connections with both her and her husband’s extended families was also a priority for Cindy.

Cindy was a strong and determined woman who persevered and rose above any challenges. She was curious and always ready to learn about new things, people, and new places; she encouraged curiosity in children around her too. She was a loyal friend and a planner. If Cindy saw something that needed doing, she pushed her family and friends until she helped make it happen. She was quick to help others and looked forward to holiday gatherings with extended family.

Cindy never did something halfway. When she got into a project or planning a vacation, she dove into it, bringing her husband, children, and whoever was around along in the excitement and fun. This included spreading out quilting projects all over the house, cross stitching birth samplers that Steve framed, making special trips to find unique pieces for her children’s collections, and planning an anniversary trip for a brother- and sister-in-law.

Cindy was a thoughtful, generous, kind, loving woman; a dedicated wife and mother. She was always putting others’ needs and comfort ahead of her own.

Her legacy may be summed up in these wise messages: be kind, never give up, do not let things stop or hold you back, keep pushing yourself and give your best effort!

Cindy is lovingly survived by her husband, Steven Greunke of Marshfield, WI; her children Shawna Greunke, Megan Greunke, and Joshua Greunke; her sister Debra (Mark) Carter of Gillette, WY; and aunts Palma Gabler and Gwendolyn (Ervin) Tomczyk. She is further survived by many loving in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and -nephews, and long-time friends.

Cindy was preceded in death by her parents Dale and Yvonne Heminger.

In lieu of flowers, donations/memorials may be sent to the Women’s Resource Center, P.O. Box 2289, Gillette, WY 82717.

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