Sun City, AZ - Vincent T. Greelis, 86, died Wednesday, March 31, 1999 at Maryvale Samaritan Hospital in Sun City, AZ.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, April 7 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Church in Waverly with Father Martin Shallbetter at celebrant. Special music was provided by St. Mary's Choir and Patricia Munson. Casketbearers were Marv Decker, Gordy Jacobson, Joe Marketon, Jim Gallagher, Ed Marketon and Joe Reardon. Interment was in St. Mary's Church Cemetery in Waverly. The Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato and Howard Lake were in charge of the arrangements.
Vincent Thomas Greelis was born on March 13, 1913 in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of John and Alloween (Fleming) Greelis. He grew up in Waterloo and graduated from high school there. After attending college in Cedar Rapids, Vince attended the University of Minnesota, graduating from the Mortuary Science Department in 1934.
Vince spent his internship at the funeral home of A.E. Henry in St. Paul and then pursued his career in mortuary science in Devils Lake, ND and Bemidji before purchasing a funeral home in Nashwauk.
He met Edith Hancock at Grand Rapids and the couple was married on August 1, 1940 in Waterloo, IA. They moved to Howard Lake where they purchased a funeral home and furniture store from George Boxel.
The family remained in Howard Lake until 1960 when they moved to St. Paul where they operated a bowling business. After retiring in 1968 they returned to Howard Lake.
During their retirement years Vince and Edith spent the winters in Sun City, AZ where Vince spent his days hunting, fishing and shooting skeet. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Waverly, Sportsman Club of Sun City and Trap Shooting Club of Thief River Falls.
Vince is survived by his wife, Edith of Thief River Falls; one son, Tom of Thief River Falls; one daughter, Linda Gemoets of Santa Cruz, CA; seven grandchildren; and one sister, Virginia Mraz.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Jack Greelis and Francis Greelis; and one sister, Madaline Scukker. A00003B1999AR14