Richard D. GROVER

GROVER, BERG, BERGSTROM, STALZER, SOFRANKO, ELLSWORTH, SOLEM, DECUIR, DELAGARDO, GLOWACKI

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:44

April 28, 1932 ---- February 7, 2018

Richard D. Grover, 85, of Clarion passed away Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at the Clarion Wellness and Rehabilitation Center. He was holding the hand of his beloved wife, Ruby, and his best friend and son, Randy, when he took his last breath here on earth. A memorial service for Richard Grover will be held on Sunday, February 11, 2018 at 2:00 PM at the Ewing Funeral Home, 1801 Central Avenue East, in Clarion with Mr. Stan Watne officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Sunday.

Rich and Ruby were married 62 years ago on this day.

Richard was born on the family farm south of Clarion on April 28, 1932 to Lilly and Dennis Grover. The country doctor who attended his birth accepted a goose in payment, which would have been a high price at the time. The family often joked that sometimes his parents may have wished for the goose back! Richard loved to tease and be teased!

He went to country school, often arriving in style by horse drawn carriage (pony and cart). Sometimes, however, he walked up hill both ways against the driving rain according to his recollection. He eventually went to school in Clarion and was in 4-H until his prize calf had to be sold to feed the family during the depression. He also worked on the farm side by side with his parents until he joined the United States Air Force on October 4, 1951. Richard served in the Korean War until April 1, 1955. He had tours in Japan and Korea during his service. Richard was Airman 1st Class and one of his responsibilities was working as an airplane mechanic. He was on two planes that went down. One was shot down behind enemy lines, which Richard said was one of the most terrifying times of his life. The other time was on a test flight after repairs. This is probably why he only flew twice since his discharge from the service. He loved to tell the “secrets” of how they got planes to pass inspection! He was a great mechanic, though, and could fix anything.

He resumed working with his parents on the family farm after leaving the service. He married his bride, Ruby Irene Berg, on February 11, 1956. Rich and Ruby farmed for 42 years and then they retired and moved to the town of Clarion.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Ruby, son, Randy (Lori), daughters, Debbie Bergstrom (Steve) and Carol Stalzer (Russ). He has eight grandchildren, Andrea Sofranko, Becky Ellsworth (Corey), Jeff Bergstrom (Jennifer), Rachel Solem (Jake), Courtney Decuir (Jordan), Heather Delagardo (Cody), Katie Glowacki (Brandon) and Robert Stalzer. Richard was also blessed with 11 great grandchildren, Jackson, Pierson, Emerson, Graceyn, Colton, Kamden, Ruby, Russell, Eli, Bryant and Charlotte. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dennis and Lilly Grover.

Richard enjoyed listening to country music and polka. He loved his John Deere tractors, a good western, going to the movies and going out to dinner. One of his favorite places and his last outing before he died was at The Family Table in Eagle Grove, Iowa.

Memorials can be sent to Gateway Hospice, 103 Central Ave. NE, Clarion, Iowa 50525 or Iowa Specialty Hospital, 1316 South Main Street, Clarion, Iowa 50525.

http://www.ewingfh.com/obituaries/richard-d-grover/