Richard Morris GRIFHORST

GRIFHORST, BRAND, ELIASON, HARMS, MCELROY

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/2/2010 at 11:39:08

May 25, 1915 -- December 28, 2002

Richard "Dick" M. Grifhorst of Britt died Saturday, December 28, 2002, at the Westview Care Center, in Britt, Iowa. He was 87. Funeral services were held Tuesday, December 31, 2002 at the United Methodist Church of Britt. The Rev. Robert Dodge officiated. Music was provided by organist, Tammy Johnson who accompanied a duet by Russell and Cindy Schubert and congregational hymns. Lawrence Smidt and Harry Smith ushered. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Britt. Military honors were conducted by the Britt Ceremonial Unit. The Ewing Funeral Chapel of Britt was in charge of the arrangements. Casketbearers were Jon Swenson, William Eckels, Ronald Eisenman, Steven Hasty, Jim Artes and Bob Korneisel. Honorary casketbearers were Dr. John Camp, Dr. Richard Evans, Robert Artes, Donald Krause, James Jacobson, Don Ross and Wendell Harms.

Dick Morris Grifhorst, the son of Dick and Minnie (Eliason) Grifhorst was born May 25, 1915, in Kanawha. He grew up and received his education in the Kanawha area, graduated from the Kanawha High School and attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. On December 26, 1941, Dick was united in marriage with Wilma Brand in Princeton, Missouri. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II and saw overseas duty when he was stationed in the British Isles. Following his discharge, he spent three years in Chicago, Illinois with the Douglas Aircraft Corporation and then moved to Wesley where they owned and operated a sundries store. In 1950, the couple moved to Britt where they made their home and raised their three children. Dick and Norman Lee operated the Lee and Grifhorst Drug Co. from 1949 until 1973, at which time it became Grifhorst Drug, which Dick and Wilma operated until 1991.

January 7, 2003
The Garner Leader & Signal - Iowa

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BRITT-Richard "Dick" Grifhorst, 87, of Britt passed away Saturday (December 28, 2002) at the Westview Care Center, in Britt, Iowa. Funeral services for Richard Grifhorst will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, at United Methodist Church in Britt with Pastor Robert Dodge officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Britt. Full military services will be conducted by the Britt Ceremonial Unit. Visitation will be held from 5 to7 p.m. today at Ewing Funeral Chapel in Britt and continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Dick, the son of Dick and Minnie Eliason Grifhorst was born May 25, 1915, in Kanawha. He grew up and received his education in the Kanawha area, graduated from Kanawha High School and attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls for a time. On December 26, 1941, Dick was united in marriage with Wilma Brand in Princeton, Mo. Dick served with the U.S. Army during World War II and saw overseas duty when he was stationed in the British Isles. Following his discharge, he spent five years in Chicago, Ill., with the Douglas Aircraft Corporation and then moved to Wesley where they owned and operated a sundries store. In 1950, the couple moved to Britt where they made their home and raised their three children. Dick and Norman Lee operated the Lee and Grifhorst Drug Co. from 1949 until 1973, at which time it became Grifhorst Drug, which Dick and Wilma operated until 1991. In his spare time, Dick enjoyed hunting, fishing, downhill skiing and traveling. Dick was a member of the United Methodist Church in Britt, was a past president of the Britt Chamber of Commerce as well as a member of the Britt Industrial Development Corporation. He was also a 60-year member of the American Legion, a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge and a charter member and past president of the Lions Club.

Dick is survived by his wife of 61 years, Wilma; three children, Lois Harms and her husband, Wendell, of Ankeny, Jim Grifhorst and his wife, Linda, of Iowa City, and Paul Grifhorst of Chicago, Ill.; five grandchildren; and one sister, Ida McElroy of Mason City. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; and one brother. Ewing Funeral Chapel.

Mason City Globe Gazette -- Iowa
December 30, 2002