VIOLET GRAUNKE

Violet (Bloom) Graunke, age 89, passed away on August 5, 2025 in Appleton following a lengthy illness with Alzheimer's. Violet was born March 28, 1936; daughter of the late Howard and Valeria Bloom, spending most of her lifetime as a resident of Neenah. She was 1954 Neenah H.S. graduate. Violet wed Loren Graunke on December 28, 1957; they enjoyed over 60 years of marriage. Violet was employed as a secretary at Kimberly-Clark Corp. for 3+ years prior to her marriage to Loren. After becoming a full-time wife and mother, Violet learned to sew and play bridge, helped to form the Neenah Faculty Wives group, and was a typist for her father's law office for 17 years.

She returned to work as an Administrative Assistant at Neenah Joint School District offices for 13 years prior to retirement with Loren in 1988. Violet and Loren enjoyed almost daily bicycling for 40 years and were fortunate to travel extensively in 49 states and in many foreign countries. Her favorite places she traveled were Switzerland and New Zealand.  They spent many years traveling with an RV around the United States and Canada, while also bicycling on trails along the way.  Eventually, they wintered in Fort Myers Beach Florida for many years. Violet was also a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Neenah, and was active in several women's groups. She was an avid producer of personalized counted cross stitch items for her personal use as well as for friends and family.

She is survived by her two daughters: Gail (Michael) Nell of Madison, WI, and Dawn (Charles) Moder of Oshkosh, WI; six grandchildren: Emily (Corey Westover) Nell, and great-granddaughters Rosie and Juniper Westover-Nell, Bloomfield, NJ; Justine (Daniel) Herndon, and great-grandsons Torin and Lachlan Herndon, Rochester, MN; Cee Nell, Madison, WI; Whitney Moder, Oshkosh, WI; Hannah (Melissa) Cornejo-Nell, and great-granddaughter Ruby Cornejo-Nell, Nashville, TN; and Grace (Kyle Bayers) Bayers-Nell, Minneapolis, MN; two sisters: Valeria Cornwell, Appleton, WI and Virginia (Robert) Hass, Shawano, WI; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Loren Graunke and her parents Howard and Valeria Bloom.

The Funeral Service for Violet will be held on Wednesday August 13, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Westgor Funeral Home, 205 W. Doty Avenue, Neenah with Rev. Rebecca Henry officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10:00 AM until the hour of the service. She will be laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery, Neenah. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated toward the Moder Family Special Education Scholarship through the UW-Stout Foundation.