Grelling, Claude P. Insurance Executive, Newspaper Aficionado, and thoughtful Political Commentator, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 10, 2017 at the age of 87. He died at home in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, with his wife of 61 years by his side. He passed away in good spirits, having previously made peace with his life, the world, and his place in it. Those who knew Claude understood his deep bond with his adoptive homeland The United States of America and his even deeper passion for its future. He first served in the US Army in the Korean conflict out of a sense of moral duty to the country that rescued him as a parent-less child from the aftermath of Hitler's holocaust. When he returned from war, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States, completed his education at Wartburg College in Iowa, met his future wife, married, and got on with the business of raising and providing for his new family. He worked for The Prudential insurance company for most of his adult life (more than 40 years) in various capacities, retiring in 1991. At that point, he began his avocation as a political activist, tirelessly supporting, in both writing and financially, causes that aligned with his internal moral compass. That powerful compass pointed towards causes based on his fundamental respect for his human brethren, regardless of their gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation. It was his fundamental belief that if we are to survive and prosper as a society, all our constituent individuals must have the opportunity to survive and prosper as well. He was no "bleeding heart" liberal he was simply a staunch advocate for the human race. Claude was a long time member of Christ Lutheran Church of Blaine where he used his rich, full voice to read Scriptures and to participate in many dramatizations. He also revived his newspaper editing skills to proofread Sunday bulletins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kurt and Margarethe. He is survived by his wife Audrey, his three children Kevin (Susan), Kent (Barbara), and Karin (Tim) Johnson, his sister Karin (Hans) Gimple of Zürich Switzerland and his grandchildren Jordan, Isabel, Alianne and Keira. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held Saturday, August 26th at 11:00 AM with an opportunity for remembrance one hour prior at Christ Lutheran Church, in Blaine, Minnesota. He will be interred at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a private service in December of this year. Memorials to charities supporting human rights around the world are suggested.