GRONNA, Theodore 1878-1945

GRONNA, SMEBY, LEIKVOLD, RYAN, JUNGE, ELLEFSON

Posted By: DHagemeier (email)
Date: 2/16/2019 at 17:09:44

The sudden death of Theodore Gronna Sunday evening at his farm home in Paint Creek township was startling news to his many acquaintances throughout the county. Mr Gronna spent the day fishing with friends and shown no indication of illness. After supper it was his intention to drive to Waukon in company with Seaman Kenneth Amundson who was visiting at the Gronna home. However, about 7:30 that evening he was stricken with a heart attack which caused his death. It is learned that two weeks ago Mr. Gronna suffered a similar attack, but apparently recovered from the ailment.

The deceased was a son of Mr. and Mrs. A.T. Gronna, the later being Miss Olena Smeby. His parents settled on a farm in Paint Creek township where Mr. Gronna was born August 13, 1878.

He received his early education in the district schools of Paint Creek township and graduated from Luther College at Decorah and Iowa State at Ames. He also possessed a diploma from Wisconsin Agricultural college. Mr. Gronna schooling in agricultural fields ably prepared him to assist his father on the home farm, where the deceased lived his entire life.

On June 6, 1918 at the East Paint Creek church he was united in marriage with Miss Ella Leikvold. She survives him with their three daughters, Mrs. James Ryan, Davenport; Mrs. Warren Junge, Florida, where her husband is in service, and Miss Dorothy at home.

Also left to mourn is an only sister, Mrs. Joel Ellefson of Waterville.

Mr. Gronna enjoyed the reputation of being one of Allamakee county’s outstanding farmers. A few years ago he was awarded the honor of “Master Farmer of Iowa.” In later years he had retired from active farm life and rented the land. However, he retained his large strawberry beds and there are few in this section who have not feasted on the berries from the patch.

Deceased was a member of the county board of education for a number of years and was the present president of the school board in the consolidated district of Waterville.

Source: Grandmother Christensen's scrapbook
Woodmansee date of death July 22,1945