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Sarah “Sally” Grunig (Hancock), 81, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.
She married her loving husband Ron on March 1, 1977, and they enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren, attending ISU basketball games and hosting neighborhood gatherings with their friends.
Sally’s outgoing personality will be remembered by many. She was a long-time member of St. John Lutheran Church in Storm Lake, where she taught Bible school, Sunday school and was secretary of the Parish Planning Council. She was a charter member of Storm Lake Toastmasters and past president of the Iowa State County Treasurer’s Association.
Sally enjoyed following the local farming community and worked at the county ASCS office and for Sulphur Springs Grain Company. She also served as Buena Vista County Treasurer from 1987 to 1992. As county treasurer, Sally began the mailing of tax statements and motor vehicle renewal notices to county residents. Working as an officer in the State County Treasurer’s Association, she helped rewrite tax codes that were later passed by the legislature.
Sally and Ron moved to Newton in 2010, where she continued to be active in the lives of her children and grandchildren. She was a member of First Lutheran Church in Newton.
Sally enjoyed spending her free time creating beautiful crochet blankets, hats and mittens, outfitting her family and donating to many local hospitals and charities.
She is survived by her husband Ron Grunig; children: Bruce Wilken and wife Joan of Grand Rapids, Minn.; Darcy Van Dam of Newton; Colby Wilken of Newton; Matt Grunig and his wife Laura of Huron, S.D.; Dan Grunig and partner Suzanne of Tucson, Ariz.; Angie Lundgren and husband Michael of Kendall, Wis.; plus 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
