2008 Year in Review

Dr. Curt J. Gronner

May 19, 1913 - March 13, 2008

A memorial service for Dr. Curt J. Gronner, age 94, a resident of the Wyndemere Retirement Community in Wheaton, will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 20, in the Anderson Auditorium at the Wyndemere Retirement Community, 200 Wyndemere Circle, Wheaton.

Interment is private.

Born May 19, 1913, in St. Louis, to Joseph and Emma Gronner, he died Thursday, March 13, 2008, at home. He grew up in Morrison, Whiteside County, Ill. and graduated from high school in 1931. He received a B.S. and D.D.S. from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry, graduating in 1937. He practiced dentistry in Milwaukee for four years before becoming a lieutenant junior grade in the Navy during World War II. He served in San Diego, Calif., Tacoma, Wash. and was assigned to the USS Breton, CVE a small carrier. In Tacoma, he married Bernice Elnora Long on Feb. 6, 1943, whom he had met in San Diego. After the war he bought a practice in his hometown of Morrison. He remained in the Navy Reserve, was a member and became commanding officer of a reserve dental unit and was a retired member of LCDR. He was an Eagle Scout, who had over 80 years of Scouting membership.

He served as troop committeeman, commissioner, district commissioner, council commissioner, executive board member, council, vice-president and later advisory council, Blackhawk Area Council. He was honored by the Silver Beaver and Distinguished Eagle Scout awards. He was a member of the Lions Club, served as a Sunday school teacher, Christian Education Committee and trustee at his Presbyterian Church, was a member of Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Phi Omega, and a life member of Delta Sigma Delta. He was also a member of the American Legion, VFW life member, Masonic Lodge, Whiteside County Sesquicentennial Committee of Illinois Sesquicentennial Celebration, County Bicentennial Commission, with duties in relation to various historical researches, cemeteries and people.

He was a founding member of the Morrison Historical Society and held offices in it. He was one of the organizers and the first president of Morrison Community Fund. He was a member of the board and treasurer of the Odell Public Library. He had written extensively including, "A History of the Post Offices of Whiteside County, Illinois," "History of Carroll County Post Offices," and numerous local historical articles. He also was published in the Illinois Historical Society, Illinois Dental Journal, JADA and elsewhere.

In 2004, he wrote and had published "The Family of Ronald W. Reagan." Dr. Gronner was a leader in his field. He served as secretary and president of the Legislative Interest Committee of Illinois Dentists (LICID), increasing its membership from a few to 3,000. He was appointed to the executive council of the Illinois State Dental Society (ISDS), where he served as vice-president and president. He was a member of the ADA Council on Scientific Session from 1970 to 1975. He was a member of the Pierre Fauchard Society and became a fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry in 1980. In 1970, he was awarded the Loyalty Award from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry.

Since retiring in 1983, he had remained active with Scouting, traveled, and enjoyed collecting Indian artifacts and stamps. He also enjoyed playing bridge and bowling.

He is survived by a son, Dr. Bruce Gronner; a granddaughter, Kristin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

On Feb. 14, 2008, he was preceded in death by his wife, Bernice.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674. Information and the guest book are available at hultgrenfh.com or call Hultgren Funeral Home in Wheaton at 630-668-0027.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
March 13, 2008