Hedy Grasl (née Hedwig Juengling), a loving mother, devoted grandmother, and faithful servant of God, passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on August 20, 2025. Born on July 16, 1935, in Milachew, Volhynia (modern day Ukraine) to Gustav and Elli Juengling, Hedy’s life was shaped by both the trials of history, the triumphs of perseverance, and the faithfulness of God.
As a child, her family endured the upheavals of World War II. The German government placed them in occupied Lubrunczyk, Poland. As Germany began losing the war, they had to flee Poland headed for what was then the Soviet zone of eastern Germany. At just 10 years old, Hedy and her family of 9 made a daring escape into Allied territory. They were then placed on the German island of Baltrum in the fall of 1945. Life was never easy —their family had faced hardship all their lives, constantly having to start afresh because of political power-plays.
In November 1951, seeking freedom and opportunity, the Juengling family immigrated to the United States, settling in Niles, Michigan, with the help of family sponsors. Despite her limited formal education—having never advanced beyond the eighth grade due to the challenges of language and placement—Hedy’s work ethic, creativity, and resilience carried her far. Eventually earning her GED, she also obtained her official US citizenship. She met the love of her life, Anton Grasl, in Bridgman, Michigan, and they were married on September 15, 1956. The couple made their home in East Detroit, where they lived for 20 years before moving to Sterling Heights, and later, in 2012, to Sandusky to be closer to their sons.
Hedy was a woman of many talents. A gifted craftswoman, she filled her home and the lives of others with her handiwork—sewing, quilting, embroidery, and knitting. Her creativity even helped fund her son’s summer study abroad program through the dolls she lovingly made. In the kitchen, she was affectionately known as “the fastest potato peeler east of the Mississippi,” a title earned during her years as a camp cook.
In 1973, she finished Cosmetology school and worked for many years as a beautician in several different salons. She continued working from her home even after her retirement until she moved to Sandusky.
Deeply rooted in her faith, Hedy gave her time and talents to her church community in many ways. She participated in the church choir, taught Sunday school, led Missionettes, and was active in the church’s cooking ministry for the homeless—often rising as early as 4 AM to serve, even well into her 70s. Many of the quilts her church’s Quilting Group made were donated to different ministries. Hedy was a lead in sewing various national clothing costumes for their annual Missions Conventions. She also was asked several times to speak about her family’s miraculous survival and escape during the war in Germany.
A loving mother, Hedy instilled strong values in her children, including the importance of hard work—lessons often learned during family vacations spent working on their grandparents' farm. She had a deep love for music, a passion she passed on to her children and grandchildren. Hedy aimed to be an example of positivity, finding joy in her every experience, light in every moment, whether good or bad.
Hedy Grasl lived a life of service, sacrifice, and love. She leaves behind a legacy of resilience, creativity, and unwavering faith that will continue to inspire all who knew her.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Anton William Grasl, her parents, Gustav and Elli Juengling, and her sister, Gertrud Polashak. She is survived by her children, Nancy (Patrick) Edinger, Carol (Jerry) Pennington, Allen Grasl, Steven (Janice) Grasl; her grandchildren, Sondra Edinger (Jason Caperton), Kirstin Edinger, Leah (Chris) Holland, and Stephanie (Nick) Anderson; her great grandchildren, Adeline Caperton, Alana Caperton, and Ruby Anderson; her siblings, Frieda Jezeski, Herbert (Janet) Juengling, Adolph (Sandy) Juengling, Willi (Betty) Juengling, Lena (Richard) McNees, Reinhardt (Cindy) Juengling, Ursula Juengling, and many nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.
A visitation for Hedy will be held Thursday, August 28, 2025 at 11 AM until time of a funeral service at 12 PM at Resurrection Funeral Home, 40800 Hayes Road, Clinton Township, MI 48038.
