In Memory Of
Gerald L. Gravenstein
1926
2015
Gerald L. Gravenstein
April 9, 1926 — December 11, 2015
Gerald Lorraine Gravenstein, age 89, of Topeka, Kansas, died Friday, December 11, 2015 at Aldersgate Village.
He was born April 9, 1926 at Riley, Riley County, Kansas, the son of Levi and Hazel (Berggren) Gravenstein. He was one of three children.
He was married to Arlene May Heller April 13, 1957.
Gerald spent his early years in the Riley community moving to Manhattan, Kansas in 1965 and then to Topeka, Kansas, in 1998. He attended Riley Grade School and graduated from Riley Rural High School in 1943. He served his country in both the United States Navy and the United States Army during which time he also completed 2 ½ years of college at Rice Institute in Houston, Texas. Gerald later worked with his father Levi in the Riley Machine Shop repairing tractors. After his father could no longer work in the shop due to health, Gerald continued by himself until he began temporary work at Ft. Riley, Kansas. He also worked as a carpenter, building homes and as a parts clerk with Brewer Chevrolet in Manhattan, Kansas. Gerald was later employed at Kansas State University for eleven years and then retired from Federal Civil Service, Ft. Riley, Kansas in 1990.
Gerald was baptized and became a member of the Fairview Presbyterian Church in 1960.
Gerald had a love of the outdoors from his youth throughout his adulthood. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, boating, golfing, and other activities. He was a devoted husband and father. Gerald lovingly helped in the home during his wife's long illness and together they maintained a strong family unit. He was a friend to all who knew him.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents and brother Merton Gravenstein.
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Arlene; one son, John Gravenstein and his wife Jamie of Topeka, Kansas; two daughters, Susan MacArthur and her husband Ross of Plano, Texas, and Janet Kernan and her husband Jim of Derby, Kansas; one brother, Jim Gravenstein of Topeka, Kansas; two granddaughters Arlene (MacArthur) Ellwood and Katherine MacArthur; many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel is assisting the family and is in charge of cremation arrangements. Graveside inurnment will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 18, 2015 at Fairview Cemetery, Riley, Kansas.
Memorial contributions may be made to Fairview Presbyterian Church Treasurer
10140 Fairview Church Rd., Riley, KS 66531.
To leave the family a special message online, visit the guestbook below.
He was born April 9, 1926 at Riley, Riley County, Kansas, the son of Levi and Hazel (Berggren) Gravenstein. He was one of three children.
He was married to Arlene May Heller April 13, 1957.
Gerald spent his early years in the Riley community moving to Manhattan, Kansas in 1965 and then to Topeka, Kansas, in 1998. He attended Riley Grade School and graduated from Riley Rural High School in 1943. He served his country in both the United States Navy and the United States Army during which time he also completed 2 ½ years of college at Rice Institute in Houston, Texas. Gerald later worked with his father Levi in the Riley Machine Shop repairing tractors. After his father could no longer work in the shop due to health, Gerald continued by himself until he began temporary work at Ft. Riley, Kansas. He also worked as a carpenter, building homes and as a parts clerk with Brewer Chevrolet in Manhattan, Kansas. Gerald was later employed at Kansas State University for eleven years and then retired from Federal Civil Service, Ft. Riley, Kansas in 1990.
Gerald was baptized and became a member of the Fairview Presbyterian Church in 1960.
Gerald had a love of the outdoors from his youth throughout his adulthood. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, boating, golfing, and other activities. He was a devoted husband and father. Gerald lovingly helped in the home during his wife's long illness and together they maintained a strong family unit. He was a friend to all who knew him.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents and brother Merton Gravenstein.
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Arlene; one son, John Gravenstein and his wife Jamie of Topeka, Kansas; two daughters, Susan MacArthur and her husband Ross of Plano, Texas, and Janet Kernan and her husband Jim of Derby, Kansas; one brother, Jim Gravenstein of Topeka, Kansas; two granddaughters Arlene (MacArthur) Ellwood and Katherine MacArthur; many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel is assisting the family and is in charge of cremation arrangements. Graveside inurnment will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 18, 2015 at Fairview Cemetery, Riley, Kansas.
Memorial contributions may be made to Fairview Presbyterian Church Treasurer
10140 Fairview Church Rd., Riley, KS 66531.
To leave the family a special message online, visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gerald L. Gravenstein, please visit our flower store.
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