Gene Alec Grenstad died in Seattle, Washington at Harborview Medical Center on July 12, 2017 at the age of 81, after suffering a brain trauma injury from a fall.
Gene is survived by his wife, Dee Grenstad, daughters Renee Reese and Kristina Baker, and stepson Jeff DeVore. He is preceded in death by his son James Grenstad. He is also survived by four grandchildren.
Gene was born on December 2, 1935 in Seattle, Washington to Margaret and Arvid Grenstad. He graduated from Kent Meridian High School, Kent, Washington and attended North Seattle Community College. After three years in the Air Force, stationed in Tucson, Arizona, he went to Barber College in Seattle, and was a barber in Kent until he joined the Kent Fire Department in January 1967. He served with the Kent Fire Department for 32 years, ending his career in 1998. While with the Department, he was a diver with the King County Sheriff’s Dive Team. He was named Firefighter of the Year by his colleagues in 1994.
He married DeAnne in 1981 and they were blessed to have 36 years together. After retirement, they enjoyed traveling in their motor home and eventually bought a winter home in Yuma, Arizona.
Gene became a member of The Sons of Norway recently but was taken too soon to become active in that organization. He enjoyed gardening, reading, woodcarving, shooting and relaxing in the sun in Arizona with his retired firefighter friends.
A funeral is scheduled for August 2, 2017 at 11AM at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent Washington with a reception to follow at Fire Station 75, 15635 SE 272nd Street, Kent, Washington. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority “Cares Unit”. 24611 116th Ave SE Kent, WA 98030 The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at ICU and Neuroscience 3 West at Harborview Hospital, as well as the nurses and caregivers at Wesley Home/Lea Hills Skilled Nursing Center.
All may sign the online guest book at Marlattfuneralhome.com
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