The King of the Road died peacefully and in his favorite chair at his home on Monday, April 17 ^th .

Virgil "Dood" Marion Grunst was born on October 27, 1925, in Enterprise Township, Alpha, MN to Edward and Grace (Hite) Grunst.

Dood is survived by his Brood—daughter Kathy Krohn and husband Curt of Delano, MN; daughter Lisa Matthews and husband Stan of Delano, MN; son Scott Grunst of San Diego, CA; son John Grunst and his wife Sharon of Pierz, MN and son Jeffrey Grunst and his wife Sheila of Ottertail, MN.  His granddaughters Erin Krohn, Alyssa Arganbright and her husband Dane, Brianna Grunst, Stephanie Grunst and grandsons Lonni Krohn and his wife Kristina, Chris Hulke, Zachary Grunst, Lucas Grunst, Seth Matthews, and his fiancé Fabiana Pardo, Sam Matthews, Gage Grunst, and Franco Torres and his wife Kristen. He is also survived by 13 great grandchildren and his loving sister Mary Etta Kastens of Nicollet.

He was preceded in death by the girl who stole his heart, Lois, his parents, sisters Opal Biehn, Bern Gronholz; his brothers, Ray, LeRoy, Robert, and Edward; and brother-in-law Jerry Zins.

Dood's younger years were spent on a farm in Alpha, MN. He attended the country school in Enterprise Township which was a 2-mile walk from home. On special occasions they would get to bring Dottie, the family horse, to school which made them "hot stuff" according to Dood.  When he was 11, he moved to Nicollet, MN where he would go on to meet his soulmate, Lois Zins.  To win Lois' heart, he drove his motorcycle up the high school steps. I guess it must have worked--Virgil and Lois were married in 1951. Dood worked at the Nicollet Elevator for most of his career and retired from there in 1987.

After losing Lois in 1988, Dood poured his love of life (and sarcasm) into his family and friends. His family remains proud of many things that Dood accomplished, not the least of which is his 35 years of sobriety.

Not only a hero to his family but to our country as well, Dood joined the WWII effort from 1944 -1946, dutifully serving his country achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant.  He was in the 24 ^th Infantry Division and fought in the jungles of Mindanao, Philippines.  After Japan surrendered, he was sent to Japan to clean out the weaponry.  He was awarded the Philippine Liberation Medal with 1 Bronze Battle Star and a Distinguished Unit Badge.  He was first Commander of the Legion Post 510 in Nicollet and a member for 75 years.

Dood was fearless, always willing to try something new and never let his age slow him down.  In his early 20's he was a golden gloves boxer and played baseball with his brothers.  His love for motorcycles was evident throughout his life, spending countless hours on the road with family and friends, riding his Harley Davidson up through his 90 ^th birthday.  Living for almost a century, he was always up for navigating new technology. He usually had the latest iPhone and was able to keep up with the world on Facebook.  Sometimes (mostly?) posting things on accident.  Doodsbrood was established in the mid 90's, starting as a blog for the family to keep in touch, evolving into a Facebook group, and resulting in many trips, events, and memories made all while Dood was at the helm.  4 ^th of July at the Grunst Retreat was his most treasured event of the year with the Brood.

He considered his friends "family" and had a group of people who supported him and loved him like their own.  Everyone had a nickname given to them by Dood.  To this day, his family doesn't know many of the people's real names. While Dood did his fair share of poking fun at people, he accepted them for who they were and taught his children to do the same.

Dood was the orneriest, happiest person you'd ever meet.  He always had a joke or a way to make fun of you, but one look at you with his blue eyes told you he loved you in every way that mattered.  He was never short on stories to tell, he could captivate an audience with war stories or talking about Lois.  He leaves behind so many sayings and one-liners, most of which can't be shared here.  Years from now, his family will still be asking people how Lil Dill spelled sled. It's S-L-D by the way.

It's impossible to put 97 years in an obituary or properly send off the most unique and treasured man in our lives. Our hope is that anyone reading this chooses to live a little like Virgil—fearless with a side of humor and a remarkable zest for life.  "Other things, may change us, but we start and end with family."

Visitation is Thursday April 20 ^th from 4:00 -7:00pm at St Paul's Catholic Church in Nicollet. The funeral is Friday April 21 ^st at 10:30am with visitation one hour beforehand, also at St Paul's Catholic Church in Nicollet.