Richard “Rick” Gronbeck

Richard “Rick” Gronbeck, age 56, passed away Friday, February 8, 2013 at Essentia Health in Fargo.

Rick was born January 15, 1957 in Fargo to Arnold and Darlene Gronbeck. He grew up in the Casselton/Sheldon area before moving to Moorhead for elementary and high school, graduating from Moorhead High School in 1976. He graduated from Moorhead Technical School in 1978 with a degree in carpentry.

Rick worked for various construction companies in the area until 1980 including Twin City Construction, Meide & Sons, and Don Tietz Construction. He started in the grocery business in the early 1980’s at Piggly Wiggly and Sunmart Foods. He was the frozen/dairy manager at Sunmart on 13th Avenue in Fargo until 2000. He then went to work for Kraft Pizza as a sales representative for Tombstone, DiGiorno, and Jack’s Pizza, which is now under Nestlé’s Pizza.

Rick married Pam Wiisanen on January 4, 1992. Their son, Kyle, was the light of his life. Rick loved helping him in Cub Scouts, coaching him, and watching him play hockey, football, and throw in track. Kyle was his hunting and fishing buddy. They had countless years of fun and many great fish stories.

Rick was an avid hunter and was a member of the Long Lost Deer Hunters Association for many years. He was also an avid fisherman who loved to be out on the water fishing for whatever would bite, especially muskies. He loved making salsa and enjoyed giving it to everyone he knew. He took pictures of everyone’s catch on fishing trips and put them on his “wall of fame”.

He is survived by his wife, Pam, and his son, Kyle, Moorhead; parents Arnold and Darlene, Moorhead; sisters, Coleen Don Tietz, Detroit Lakes; Cindy Pat Hilber, Fargo; Randi Conrad Bernard, Moorhead; and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

Visitation: Thursday, February 14, 2013, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass: Friday, February 15, 2013, at 11:00 a.m., in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Moorhead, MN.