Gerald G. "Jerry" Grote Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Gerald George Grote, of Shickley, was born to John William Grote and Mollie (Reinsch) Grote on October 29, 1928 at Shickley and passed away November 29, 2014 at Fairview Manor in Fairmont, NE, at the age of 86 years and one month. He was one of seven children. Jerry grew up in Shickley, receiving the sacraments of baptism, first communion, first reconciliation and confirmation at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He attended country school #92 in rural Shickley through the eighth grade, after which time he stayed home to work on the family farm. In 1952 he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served as a medic in the Korean War, where he suffered a head injury, resulting in Jerry being awarded the Purple Heart. Upon returning home from Korea in ’52, he took a job with Alfs Grain, eventually working his way up to managing the elevator. On August 22, 1959, he was married to Janet Becker of Exeter, and would eventually have three sons. They lived their entire family life in Shickley, where Jerry coached baseball for many years, and enjoyed an annual family summer trip to Kansas City for ballgames and amusement parks. In 1972 he partnered with his brother Robbie and the Biegert Family to purchase Shickley Grain Company. For the next 20+ years, Jerry served as president of the grain elevator, working closely with his brother and wife Jan – a true family business. In 1990 his son Bill, at which time they purchased the other elevator in Shickley, joined him in the business. It’s tough to specify a retirement date for Jerry, as he loved his work and continued serving as parts guy, truck driver, mail carrier and consultant after handing over the management reigns to Bill in the mid-90’s. With an eighth grade education, a good bit of common sense and a tremendous work ethic, Jerry built a successful business and put three sons through college. With Jerry backing off his duties at the elevator, he and Jan enjoyed traveling across the country, many times as part of an organized tour, which gave them the opportunity to make new friends along the way. He endured a couple of Broadway shows because he so loved Jan, but he was most happy when the trip included a stop at a ballpark, especially if the Royals or Cardinals were playing. While at home, Saturday night dates for dinner at local restaurants were a favorite tradition for all 48 years of marriage. Jan passed away in 2007, and Jerry took on the grand-parenting duties with organization and zest, never forgetting a birthday for any of his eight grandchildren or missing an activity. This was easily his favorite hobby but he also continued traveling, playing cards, following the stock market and going to ball games. Without his best friend the last few years were tough for Jerry, as he suffered from dementia, heart attack and stroke. He moved to Mahoney House Assisted Living in York in 2013, then after hurting his head in a fall in October 2014, moved to Fairview Manor in Fairmont, where he passed away on November 29, 2014. Jerry will be remembered as a fair and hard-working businessman with a ready smile who never met someone with whom he couldn’t strike up a conversation. He was a terrific husband, dad, and grandpa. A true “Turkey-Creeker”, he dedicated countless hours and resources to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and maintained a strong Catholic faith throughout his life. He was an active member of the American Legion and VFW, and coached hundreds of youth baseball games. He is preceded in death by his wife Janet, parents, John and Mollie Grote, brothers Bernard Grote and Don Grote, sisters Eleanor Oates, Mary Olson, and two grandchildren, Brandon Grote and Dillon Grote. He is survived by his sister Margaret Everts, of Seward, brother Robert (Robbie) and sister-in-law Carol Grote, of Shickley; son Jeff and daughter-in-law Janice, grandchildren Marc and Stephanie, all of Martell, and grandson Micah of Lincoln; son Bill and daughter-in-law Melissa, grandchildren Megan, Jackson and Tyler, all of Shickley; son Gary and daughter-in-law Shelly; grandchildren Mallory and Jenna, all of Omaha. Mass of Christian burial will take place on Thursday, December 4, 2014 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Shickley, NE at 10:00 AM with Father Tom Walsh officiating. Rosary will be held on the evening of December 3, 2014 at 7:00 PM at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Shickley. Visitation will be held prior to the rosary on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at Farmer & Son Funeral Home in Geneva from 12:00 PM until 5:00 PM. Graveside services with military honors will be held at the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Rural Shickley, NE. Memorials are directed to Shickley American Legion Baseball Program or St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.

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Gerald G. "Jerry" Grote

October 29, 1928 - November 29, 2014