Orville "Curly" J. Gulrud

Orville “Curly” J. Gulrud, a longtime Waukesha resident, died on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at Waukesha Memorial Hospital at age 87. He was born in Milwaukee on August 17, 1928 the son of Alfred and Gertina (nee Slinde) Gulrud. On August 25, 1951 he married Ella Lou Sanner. Orville earned his Bachelor of Science degree from St. Olaf College and his Master’s degree from Drake University. He taught science and biology at Brookfield Central High School for 32 years where he also served as their golf coach. Orville served as President of the Elmbrook Education Association for the Elmbrook School District. He loved music and singing and served as the choir director of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church and Christ the Servant Lutheran Church. He was also a member of the Waukesha Choral Union. Orville loved nature, was a bird enthusiast, was a world traveler and enjoyed photography. Most of all he loved being with his family and he will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend.
He will be sadly missed by his wife of 64 years, Ella Lou of Waukesha and their children, Gary Gulrud of St. Cloud, MN, Linda (Fredrick) Graebner Smith of Sussex, Amy (Jerrold) Woodzick of town of Vernon, Thomas (Michele) Gulrud of North Prairie and Jane Smart of Janesville. He was the dear grandfather of Julia Grace Gulrud, Rebecca Graebner, Adam Woodzick, Patrick (Amy) Woodzick, Jaime, Adam, Elijah, Judah, John, Lydia, Andrew, Micah, Ezra, Julia Mae, Eden and Isaac Gulrud, Christine (Matt) Adams, Michelle Smart and Evan Chiconas and great-grandfather of Ella, Norah, Jack, Lily, Henry and another on the way. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his brother and sisters, Florence Gardner, Arthur Gulrud and Arlene Anderson.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 20, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the 11:30 a.m. funeral service at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 2016 Center Road, Waukesha, WI 53189. Pastor Jay McDivitt and Pastor Doug Schoen will preside. Graveside services will be held Friday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at North Prairie Cemetery. Please meet at the cemetery. Memorials in Orville’s name are appreciated to the family, to be distributed to three mission groups near to their hearts.