In Memory of Bryan E. Grothe

Bryan E. Grothe, age 83, of Battle Creek, Iowa, passed away Saturday, July 02, 2016, at the Willow Dale Wellness Village of Battle Creek, Iowa.

Memorial Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 06, 2016 at the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. The Reverend Kevin J. Freese will officiate. Committal Service will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery of Battle Creek, Iowa. Military Rites will be conducted by the Maple Valley Post No. 364 of the American Legion of Battle Creek, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 05, 2016 at the Christensen – Van Houten Funeral Home, of Battle Creek, Iowa. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Battle Creek, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com

Bryan was born to Herman and Bessie (Wolfgram) Grothe, on April 18, 1933. Bryan’s mother passed away when he was three years old. He then went to live with his grandmother Wolfgram for three years, and then lived with an aunt and uncle for another three years. He lived with Martha Seip when he was six until he was fifteen years old. Bryan then went to live with Willard and Alyce Clark and their three sons until he entered the U.S. Navy on May 28, 1951.

Bryan served his country during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged on March 8, 1955. Returning home Bryan became employed as a Dragline Operator for Godbersen Smith.

On January 27, 1957, Bryan married Joan Lehmann in Ida Grove, Iowa. In 1958 they moved to Phoenix, AZ. and Bryan went to T.V. and electronics school. The couple moved to Pender, NE. and owned Pender Radio and T.V.; they also ran Pender Lanes and Grothe-Nielsen Transfer. Bryan and Joan were blessed with a son Scott and daughter Sandi.

In 1973, he was an independent driver to Santa Fe Springs, CA. hauling pork to California and produce back to Omaha, NE. When Bryan quit driving, he started working for the city of Battle Creek, IA, which he did for eight years.

Bryan and Joan purchased the Ida Bowl bowling alley in Ida Grove, IA. They owned and operated it for three years. After selling the bowling alley, to keep busy Bryan drove truck for Schau Towing and Salvage of Ida Grove, IA., part-time.

Bryan was very handy in the garage, he called it tinkering. He was blessed with the ability to fix or rebuild almost anything.

When Bryan was home he liked to take the family boating and water skiing along with fishing trips to Minnesota in the summer time. He enjoyed a hot cup of coffee and playing card with his buddies, especially euchre. Bryan also was an avid bowler who went to many tournaments, with his high series being 700. He also enjoyed playing golf with his friends.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Joan Grothe of Battle Creek, Iowa; children, Scott (Deb Scibior) Grothe of Boise, Idaho, Sandi Hudson of Leawood, Kansas; grandchildren: Tara O’Brien, Abby Hudson, Nikolaos Hudson, Logan Scibior-Grothe, Isaac Scibior-Grothe; extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Bessie Grothe; foster mother, Martha Seip; foster parents, Willard and Alyce Clark; sisters, Frances Larson and Lois Towhig; brothers, Milton and Dwain.