GRUMBACH

It is with great sadness that we announce that Michael John Grumbach of Calgary, Alberta has passed away suddenly at the age of 37 years.

Michael was born in Red Deer on May 21, 1985, the second son of Edward and Mhairi Grumbach. He had a full head of black hair at birth. Michael was raised on the family farm south of Rimbey, where he had many adventures with his brothers James and Andrew. Chores included forking up silage for the cows by hand and gathering eggs each day after school. Michael liked to drive tractors, trucks, and anything that moved; and was able to drive the large tandem truck around the farm at a relatively young age (once he could reach the pedals). He was operating the silage cutter as a teenager, and had a healthy competition with James who operated the swather. Once, Michael actually caught up to James and insisted a picture be taken as proof.

During the summer his cousin John Badger would stay at the farm, and between him, Michael, and Andrew it was decided to build a fort in the bush. The fort was built on stilts on the side of a hill and was engineered to last. Having not known that floor joists sit vertically, the floor was made of a solid four inches of wood with liberal amounts of nails. It still stands to this day and is structurally sound.

Michael grew up in the Anglican Church in Rimbey where he attended Sunday School, was baptised, and confirmed. He also attended the Nazarene youth group with James and Andrew.

For many years, Michael was involved with Scouts, having gone through Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and Ventures. There was many a camping trip with the Waldners out to the bush in every season, including winter. Michael enjoyed camping with friends, hiking, snowboarding in the mountains, and being active. As a teenager, Michael took dance lessons with Mom and quite enjoyed it. He went on to being involved in a dance club at the UofA, and later various dance groups in Grande Prairie. He even did some competitive dancing.

Michael went to school in Rimbey, and after graduation was accepted to the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Alberta. He specialized in electrical engineering, and was accepted into the co-op program. Michael graduated from the University of Alberta in 2008.

Following graduation Michael spent a short period back on the farm, and then found his EIT job in Grande Prairie. He purchased a house in Grande Prairie and rented out the rooms, including to his brother Andrew, to pay his mortgage. Michael later completed his EIT and became a professional engineer. He had several different jobs before contracting to Xcel Automation, where he made many friends and really felt in his element. Michael was a proficient engineer and well respected by all those he worked with. He enjoyed working at Xcel and he had only good things to say about them. He proudly wore his matching Xcel hat and jacket home on many occasions.

Michael decided to move to Calgary and sold his house in Grande Prairie to Andrew. He then purchased a condo near downtown Calgary, and commuted for a few years while renting a room from Andrew while in Grande Prairie. Xcel opened an office in Calgary recently, and Michael mostly stayed in Calgary in recent years.

Even from a young age, Michael always cared about his appearance. He wore a hand-me-down suit to many family weddings, and was always able to find a girl to dance with. In later years he did his hair just so, and cared about what he was seen in. During his first year of university he was placed with a roommate, Kamal, and the two struck up a close friendship. Kamal helped Michael refine his style and encouraged him to go out and be social.

Michael also took up cooking and wasn’t afraid to try things, including making his own bread with flour he milled, making a turkey for a holiday meal with friends, or growing his own upright hydroponic vegetable/herb garden in his condo.

Michael was always a deep thinker, and always to the point when he did speak. He had that special “Michael smile” when you said something he appreciated.

Michael will be dearly missed by his parents Edward and Mhairi Grumbach; and his brothers James (Shawna) Grumbach of Rimbey, and Andrew Grumbach of Grande Prairie; as well as two nephews Nathaniel and Eli; and his niece Julianne. He will also be dearly missed by his uncles Alvin (Sylvia) Grumbach of Spruce Grove, John Kaempf of Sunnynook, Alberta, and Dave Kaempf of Alberta Beach; in addition to his aunt Doreen (George) Badger of Stony Plain. He will also be greatly missed by his many cousins and friends.

A Public Funeral Service for Michael was held at the Zion Lutheran Church, Rimbey on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. with the Reverend David Holmes and Pastor Terry Oke officiating. Interment followed in the West Haven Cemetery, Rimbey. If friends desire, memorial tributes in Michael’s memory may be made directly to the charity of one’s choice. Thoughts and messages to the family may be shared through the condolence area located at the bottom of this page.

Service and Burial Arrangements for the Late Michael John Grumbach entrusted to the care of