Person:Dennis Grove (1)

Dennis Lee Grove, 81, passed away January 17, 2013 at Mayo Hospital in Phoenix, AZ from a lengthy illness. Dennis Grove was born July 2, 1931 in New Hampton, Iowa to Roy Lewis Grove and Marvelyn Alice (Trusty) Grove. Dennis graduated from Monona High School in 1949.

He married Margaret Ann Thompson on October 23, 1950 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They started their life together on an 88 acre farm SE of Monona, IA which evolved into Grove Farms. Dennis helped his father run Grove Feed Mill for 50 years. Four children were born to this union.

Dennis was past President and long time member of the Tri-City Golf Course, Clayton County Pork Producers and Monona Flying Club. Dennis was a member of Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Lodge #70 of the Masons, and El Kahir Shriners and Shriners International, Commodore and member of the Upper Mississippi Boat and Yacht Club, Gold Level Sponsor of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Dennis had a passion for living. He enjoyed building and flying model airplanes. He was a private pilot, part owner of a plane for many years and enjoyed flying, boating on the Mississippi, collecting old guns, and restoring old tractors. He loved to golf and play cards with his buddies every Wednesday at the Country Club. Dennis wintered for 10 years in Florida and the last 23 years in Arizona. He enjoyed hunting on the Teague Ranch near White Sulfur Springs, Montana with his father and friends for many years. He also enjoyed hunting adventures in Iowa, Wyoming and Canada with family and friends. Just 2 years ago, he succeeded in hunting a wild boar in California. He loved the adventure of the “fly-in” fishing trips to Canada. A Friday night out was hardly missed by him getting together with the “Rat Pack”. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes fan. Dennis’s drive for living was an inspiration to others. He is a member of the Living Hope Methodist Church in Monona, Iowa.

Dennis is survived by four children, Janis Schultz of Manchester, IA, Richard (Cathy) Grove of Monona, IA, Denise (Jack) Schroeder of Lawton, IA, Julia (Ron) Ripps of Phoenix, AZ; six grandchildren, Justin (Alecia) Grove, Adam (Carrie) Grove, Laura (Bart) Boustead, Kyle (Jennifer) Schroeder, Caleb Schultz, Jordan Schultz; seven great-grandchildren, Nathan (friend, Ann) Grove, Aidan and Kade Grove, Jackson, Gabby and Briley Boustead, Landon Schroeder; sisters, Jackie (Alan) Butterfield and Judie (Gaylord) Oelke; brother-in-law, Leo (Jeanetta) Thompson; three step-grandchildren; five step great-grandchildren; three step great-great grandchildren; friend, Sharon Hefel and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents, wife Margaret of 63 years in 2003 and son-in-law David Schultz in 2009.

Visitation will be Sunday, January 27, 2013 from 2 – 7 pm at the Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Monona, Iowa and one hour before services at the church on Monday.

Funeral Services will be at 10:30 am on Monday, January 28, 2013 at Living Faith United Methodist Parish, Monona, Iowa with Rev. Dennis Hopes officiating.

Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation service is helping the family with the arrangements.

Condolences may be left with: www.graufuneralhomes.com

Dennis Grove c. 1949

Dennis Grove c. 2012

1.   http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=104188951