Douglas Gruendell was easy to like. 
I knew him as a concerned cousin and a dutiful son to my Aunt Ann. 
At his funeral I found he was a wonderful father, grandfather, husband and friend to all.

I am thankful to have known him and to be related. I will miss the adventures we had still planned to go on. 

Leslie Donaldson

I don't think I was ever around Doug when he wasn't happy and smiling.  Of course, there was a time when we were visiting our Grandmother Parrish and I was hand watering some flowers for our grandmother.  Doug decided to take the hose from me and I didn't want to relinquish it so in the process we squirted the man next door who was out reading the newspaper.  Doug was always lots of fun to be around.  He was loving, giving and very kind. He is greatly missed and we look forward to seeing him again. My sisters and I had a wonderful time with he and Dorrit and their family in Washington.  Photo attached.

Doug was truly a gifted person and handyman. We came to love and appreciate his electronic mind it was a gift from God. His laugh was infectious. It was always a delight to have Doug and Dorrit visit. He was also my Navy buddy. We thank God for our remembrances of him.

It is hard to believe that my big brother has been gone nearly a year.  I always looked up to him for the easy way he could engage anyone including strangers in conversation.  He loved to travel and see new places and people.  I so enjoyed our month long trip to Alaska and the Yukon Territory a few years back.  We were together and could do all the stupid and strange things we wanted.  It was a great trip as was our joint trip to Europe with Barbara and Dorrit.  Doug was such a great brother, traveling partner and friend. I am missing him so very much. Love, Eric and Barbara

My words at Dad's Funeral:

Many people have had an influence on me becoming the man that I am today, but the three main people who have had an influence are: my wife, Tina; my Mom, Dorrit; and my Dad, Doug.
My Mom taught me loyalty, integrity, and love. There is no one I know with as much loyalty and integrity as my Mom. I admire this greatly and strive to be like her.
My Dad also taught me love, he taught me a love of knowledge, and he taught me of question and inquiry. My Dad attended church from my earliest memories until he turned 30. He stopped going to church because he had many questions about his faith that seemed unanswerable or contradictory. Because of the integrity that he learned from my Mom, he could not continue to pretend to be someone of faith when he had so many doubts.
Throughout this period he frequently voiced his questions to me. The impression on me was that he wanted answers not blind faith. He taught me to question and inquire.
Inquiry became a love for me and I believe led me towards my career as a scientist. Science is the discipline of methodical question and inquiry.
However, I met my wife and she taught me faith and hope. Science had no answers for "why life", or "what is our purpose ", or "why death", or "is death the end?" Science has only been able to tell us some of the how.
I am the man that I am, because Mom taught me what love is, to be true to myself, to my heart, and to what I know. I am the man that I am because Dad taught me to love via a strong interest an concern for me, he loved us kids so he wanted the best for us, so he in an attempt to help he would critique our actions so that I could take the information and improve. However to his credit he realized that he was a little harmful and improved on this through-out his life - to the point that I don't think he ever criticized his grandkids. I am grateful that he showed me that a man can and should change when his actions need improving. Most of all, I love that Dad taught me to question, inquire, and learn.
One of the most important things that Dad taught me was to respect the beliefs of other people, especially the beliefs of family members. I find this a little ironic as this is one of the central tenants of my faith: to respect the beliefs of everyone "let them worship how, where, or what they may." And I didn't learn this in church. I learned it from my Father. One of my favorite pastimes I engaged in with my Father was to have a discussion about any of the taboo subjects for people who want get along. Namely, science, politics, and religion. We would have intense and seemingly heated debates, but we always ended with respect for the other's viewpoint. He showed me that we can disagree, but still love and respect. I will miss our debates Dad, who else will be willing to debate such difficult and emotionally charged subjects with me and finish with affection? You have left a hole in my life.
Tina taught me to believe and to hope and to not despair. And that is the note I would like to end on with my words.

I believe that we existed before we were born. That God wanted to give us the opportunity to grow, learn, and develop. So he allowed us to come to mortal life on this earth. To gain a physical body and to have experience.
I believe that God knew we would stumble and error, so he provided our Savior to save us, everyone of us.
I believe that when we die we are taken home and reunited with past loved ones and embraced by Christ.
I believe that death is not the end of Douglas Gruendell, but a journey that takes him away from us until we join the journey.
I believe that because of Christ we need not mourn for Doug, but that we should mourn for our loss of his treasured presence in our lives.
But I have hope, that we will meet again. And I will rejoice and weep tears of joy to see my good father once again.
Till we meet again, Dad, till we meet again ...

The world lost a good man.  I so enjoyed every moment I had the pleasure of being around him.  One of the smartest men I ever knew...always had very interesting tidbits of information he would share that I found fasinating.  He was a special friend with a great spirit about him I felt every time I was in his presence.  I hope Doritt and the family finds comfort and peace in this very difficult time.  Goodbye Doug - I will never forget you!

The Otton family sends their love and sincere sympathy to you Dorrit, Brian, Gordon and Kari and family.  We are so sorry for your loss.  Words just can't express how we are feeling hearing of the news of Doug's passing.  Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.  He will be sorely missed.  Our love goes out to each of you.  Marjean and Sid

Doug was always a big and friendly, cousin.  We so appreciated his love for our parents, Aunt Fay and Uncle Heber and the trips he and Dorrit took to be with our dad and visit with him, especially at the end of his life.
We are so sorry that we were not able to attend the funeral services for Doug.  We would have loved to have been there.  Unfortunately we were down in southern Utah taking our turn with Ruth, my mother-in-law.   
Please know that we send our love and prayers your way.  With the recent death of our dear daughter and dad, we know that communication takes place with the spirit world through the veil, and especially feelings of deep love and family devotion.  
Dorrit, please know you and your family are always welcome to visit and stay with us if you are ever in Vernal, Utah (Flaming Gorge) or in southern Utah, (Monticello). We would consider it an honor to have you and any of your family. 
We send our love!  We love Doug and look forward to when we can meet him and be with him and his big, loving smile again!

Loved the pictures of Doug, Dorrit and family.  Talked to cousin Howard Wahlstrom today and he told me Doug and he double dated 2 girls they had never met before and Doug was better looking so he got to go with Dorrit because she spoke English and Howard the other girl.  Figured he brought the love birds together.   Said they were both in Navy. Howard sends his love to Dorrit. 
I Always loved when Doug and Doric came to visit Mom and Dad.  Know he will be greatly missed but also welcomed by so many.  My love and prayers be with you.

I loved seeing the pictures, they were great. Doug loved his family and friends.
I will never forget the trip to Hawaii!!Doug love that trip. I will miss that wonderful friend and man. Love Blanche Thurgood

I loved seeing the pictures!! They were great!! He really enjoyed life and his family and friends. I  will never ever forget the trip to Hawaii, Doug loved that trip. I will miss that wonderful friend and man. Love you!!
Blanche Thurgood
Woods Cross, Utah

We loved the pictures and love the people in them.  Doug is a favorite cousin and we have many fond memories of him.  We will miss being at the funeral and send our love and condolences to Dorrit and their wonderful family.  Love and hugs, Noel and Pam Barton

OBITUARY

Douglas Doug Albert Gruendell

July 15, 1943 – January 11, 2016

Mills & Mills Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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