Grant Ringlien

Madison - Grant Ringlien, age 72, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly Monday July 8, 2013.
He was born May 6, 1941 in Whitehall, WI, son of Josephine Ringlien (Lunde) and Arnold Ringlien. He graduated from high school in Whitehall. He put himself through college working at American Motors. He graduated from UW-LaCrosse in 1964, attended graduate school at the University of Wisconsin, and graduated with a Master's degree from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. He was drafted into the US Army and served in Vietnam. He was involved in numerous groups and agencies, notably serving as the Executive Director of the Coulee Region Community Action Agency and worked for the CR-SDC in Milwaukee in the late 60s through the early 70s. He married Karen Ringlien (Heske) and they have two children Matt Ringlien (Leslie Gill) in Columbus, OH and Alicia Van Straten (Andy Van Straten) in Green Bay, WI. He is also survived by his brother Gordon Ringlien (Nancy Ringlien), four grandchildren, Jamison and Tatum Ringlien, and Dylan and Addison Van Straten, plus many friends and acquaintances.
Early on he was active in the Cedar Grove-Belgium community, serving on the school board and creating and running the Bel-Grove Soccer Club. He spent his final years in Madison and was active in PLATO, Habitat for Humanity and Sports for Active Seniors. He will be missed by his traveling and biking companion Sarah Rankin.
The family wishes to thank the responders of the Madison 911 team and fire department for their care and effort and the UW Hospital ER night shift especially head nurse Diane.
A celebration of life will be held at 1:30pm on Sunday, July 21st, at the Cress Center, 6021 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53705. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Grant's name to the Madison chapter of Habitat for Humanity ( http://www.habitat.org/support/giftfromtheheart.aspx ).