By Watertown Current - August 26, 2025 in 
William “Bill” Gripentrog, 60, Watertown
William “Bill” Edward Gripentrog, 60, passed away on August 30, 2025, at CHI Lakeside Hospital in Omaha, NE, from a heart attack.
He was born on December 5, 1964, in St. Paul, MN. He graduated from Wahpeton High School (ND) in 1983, where he was active in cross country, wrestling, and track. His first entry into the workforce was as a projectionist at the movie theaters in Wahpeton and Breckenridge (MN).
While attending Valley City State University, Bill met the love of his life, Brenda. The two were married on September 27, 1986, in Glenburn, ND. During college, he was deeply involved in campus life as a member of the EBC fraternity, president of the student senate, and a Viking Pilot. He cherished the friendships made at VCSU and loved returning for
Homecoming and EBC Hit Parades. Bill also proudly served as a second lieutenant in the North Dakota National Guard from 1986 to 1991.
Bill graduated from Dickinson State University (ND) in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, where he was also served as editor of the student newspaper. He began his
teaching career in Selby (SD), before teaching in Kindred (ND), and Rapid City (SD). In 1994, Bill and his family settled in Watertown, SD, where he taught high school mathematics at Watertown Senior High School for the next 31 years. Beloved by his students, Bill was known for his humor, loud voice, and ability to connect with students, whether in the classroom, supervising lunch, or running after-school study hall. He proudly obtained his Master of Arts in Mathematics from Minot State University (ND) in 2001. He was deeply committed to his profession, active in the National Education Association, South Dakota Education Association, and the National Council of Teaching Mathematics. He was a former president of South Dakota Council of Teaching Mathematics and a member of the Watertown Youth Soccer Association board, where he also worked as a soccer referee.
Most recently, he had proudly obtained his Nebraska teaching certificate.
Beyond the classroom, Bill lived life with joy and enthusiasm. He loved his wife Brenda, biking, breweries, singing off-key, and his grandchildren. You could always count on him to turn out a great outfit on dress up days and had a vast collection of neckties to pair with his suits and cowboy boots. He loved cheering at University of North Dakota hockey and University of Nebraska volleyball games.
Bill was preceded in death by his grandparents Mary and Edward Giwoyna, and Mabel and Alvin Gripentrog; his father David Gripentrog; his father-in-law Edo (Judy) Johnston; his cousin Scott Giwoyna; and numerous other aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He is survived by his mother Sherry (Lynn) Hoverman; his wife Brenda; his children Joshua (Michelle) Gripentrog, Naomi (Owen) Tonjes, and Ruth (Mitch) Gripentrog; his grandchildren Hailey Gerberding, Finnegan Halse, and Martell and August Tonjes; his siblings Brant (Samantha) Gripentrog and Bridgette (Jeremy) Kasprzyk; his aunt and uncle Butch (Bev) Giwoyna and Lori (Keith) Fuglestad; his mother-in-law Judy (Dean) Lonning; his sister-in-law Renee Johnston; his nieces and nephews Abigail, David, Jonathan, Julia, Kara, Travis (Amanda), Andrew (Wendi), Andrew, Hannah, Benjamin, Joe, and Jaxon; and countless cousins, aunts, uncles, and great-nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at the Lifesong Event Space in Watertown, SD, on August 30, 2025, from 3-9PM. All are welcome to come to raise a glass.
An event will be held at the Valley City State University Homecoming on September 27, 2025. Details will be shared at a later date.
Bill will be remembered for his humor, his devotion to his family, his passion for teaching, and the way he made life brighter for all who knew him.
“Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings.”
