Mark A Gruntorad

A Celebration of Life Service for Mark A. Gruntorad will be conducted from the Oakwood Auditorium in Oakwood, Oklahoma on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Dwight McGee officiating. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date.

Mark Alan Gruntorad, 58 years of age, of Oakwood, Oklahoma, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, November 7, 2014 at Alma, Nebraska. Mark was born December 11, 1955 at Kearney, Nebraska, the youngest of three children born to Nicholas and Marilyn (Carlson) Gruntorad.

Mark grew up in Elm Creek and graduated from Elm Creek High School with the class of 1973. He was a farmhand for Roy Else through high school and for some years after. In 1978 he was united in marriage in York, Nebraska to Cheryl Foster of Bradshaw, Nebraska. To this union three children, a son and two daughters were born. Mark was then employed by Rafferty Farms south of Kearney, Nebraska, until 1987. He then began to work at Cargill Elevator in Kearney for many years before relocating to Norton, Kansas. In the eleven years to come, Mark was then employed by Brandon Drinnon Hay Service in Taloga, Oklahoma, where he was currently employed at the time of his passing.

On September 20, 2008, he was united in marriage to Tina Carpenter and the couple made their home in Oakwood, Oklahoma. They enjoyed traveling together in the truck as Mark transported throughout the central states of the US. His passion was truly being on the road in his truck. In December of 2008, Mark was diagnosed with cancer, and throughout his treatment he was purely an example of courage and faith as he fought to continue to carry-on.

Mark enjoyed fishing, and spending time with his grandchildren. He also loved spending time with his black lab, JJ.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; and sister, Pam Lewis.

He leaves to mourn his passing; his wife, Tina Gruntorad of Oakwood, Oklahoma; son, Scott Gruntorad and his fiancé, Kelly of Austin, Texas; two daughters: Nicole Wagner and wife, Brooke Wagner of Omaha, Nebraska and Chelsea Rector and her husband, Alec of Sheldon, Iowa; step-children: Derrick Mignard and his wife, Amanda of Dora, New Mexico, Justin Mignard of Portales, New Mexico, and Jonathan Mignard of Oakwood, Oklahoma; two grandchildren: Kinsley and Kolson Rector; nine step-grandchildren: Braydon, Connor, Easton, Fisher, Kaislynn, Tristan, Brooke, Parker, and Tara Mignard; one brother, Steve Gruntorad of Elm Creek; niece and nephew: Darci Culbertson and Derek Gruntorad both of Elm Creek; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Jerry and Linda Carpenter of San Antonio, Texas and a host of other relatives and special friends.

A visitation was held at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege on Monday, November 10, 2014 for family and close friends and then the family honored Mark's wish for cremation.

A memorial has been established in Mark's honor and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Bauer-Torrey and Mach Funeral Home in Alma, Nebraska was in charge of the arrangements.