ROBERT E. GRONBACH 1919 - 2004

GRONBACK, MELAVIN, KETELSEN, HAAG, HAWTHORNE, PATTERSON, WITTMEIER

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 1/26/2005 at 21:14:16

Funeral service for Robert E. Gronbach, 74, was held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26 (2004), in the Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Steve Turner officiating. Burial was in East Lawn Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by Seely-Walsh Post 425 of the American Legion and VFW Post 2541 at Algona. The Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Casket bearers were Joe Elbert, Tom Kinseth, Chuck Bell, Pat Elbert, Mike Elbert, Bill Bell, Rob Bovy, Steve Elbert and Brian Bovy.

A son of Elmer and Lucille Melavin Gronbach, Robert Elmer Gronbach was born Nov. 2, 1919, at Livermore. He graduated from Livermore High School in 1948. Bob enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1952, served in the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged in 1954.

Bob Gronbach was married to Pat Ketelsen on Dec. 21, 1954, in the Peace Lutheran Church at West Bend.

Bob and Pat farmed in the Livermore area until 1981 when they moved into Livermore and purchased the Trad'In Post. They owned and operated the store until 1996. Bob worked for the Algona Vault Service for 16 years and also at Chantlands in Dakota City. They retired and moved into Algona in 1996. Bob worked at Shopper's Supply for six years after he retired.

Bob enjoyed his lawn and flowers. He also loved to bake for his family and friends. He made many birdhouses and decorated fences.

Bob was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church at Algona. He was a past member of the Livermore Lions, a life member of the VFW and a member of Seely-Walsh American Legion Post No. 425 at Whittemore.

Bob died Saturday, Oct. 23 (2004), in the Kossuth Regional Health Center following a lengthy illness. He was 74.

Survivors include his wife, Pat; a son, Paul R. Gronbach and his wife, Liz, Algona; daughters, Pam Haag and husband, Jim, West Bend; Janine Hawthorne and husband, Mike, Pocahontas; Julie Patterson and husband, Nolan, Stratford, Iowa, and Angie Gronbach of Algona. Also surviving are grandchildren, Amber and husband, Mike Reiter, Allison and Alex Gronbach, Luke and Amanda Haag and Isaac and Heath Patterson; great-grandchildren, Mason and Henry Reiter.

Bob is also survived by his brother, Marvin Gronbach and wife, Bernice and his sister, Dolores Wittmeier, all of Humboldt. He was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Heartland-Kossuth County.

Algona Upper Des Moines 2005