Earl August Grote

Earl Grote Dies at Ranch Saturday

Earl Grote, 45, prominent and widely known Sioux County rancher, died unexpectedly of a heart attack Saturday morning. The attack came about 9:00 o'clock when he was in the corral with his sons preparing to load some cows for market that had been driven in earlier. He was taken to the house and then his wife brought him into Harrison where his mother, Mrs. Wm. Grote, joined them to take him to Crawford. He had a second attack near Fort Robinson and the women stopped there for help and Superintendent John Kurtz drove them to the Crawford Hospital, but Mr. Grote was dead upon arrival.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon from Redeemer Lutheran Church in Harrison with the Rev. Harold R. Vetter of Crawford officiating. Music was provided by Mrs. Floyd Hall as organist and Mrs. Nelson Engebretsen as soloist. A male quartet composed of Marion, Bernard, Paul and Harold Heidemann of Kimball, cousins of Mr. Grote, also sang.

Pallbearers were Lawrence Lewis, Charles Bourret, Vern Holtz, Robert Staudenmeier, Orlando Osborn, and Bill Baker. Honorary pallbearers were Bruce Parsons, Albert Publow, Ray York, Harry Zimmerman and Ollie Seaman. Burial was in the Harrison Cemetery.

Earl August Grote, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Grote, was born September 23, 1919, at Wilcox, Nebr. At the age of nine he moved with his parents to Harrison to the ranch where he resided until the time of his death.

He was a member of the Lutheran Church and served in many offices on the church council. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7970. As a member of the Nebraska State High School Rodeo Association board of directors he had an important part in that activity for youth through the years. He was a member of the Harrison Men's Community Club and participated actively in many community affairs. He was inducted into the Army in 1942 and served in the European and Pacific theaters until 1945 when he received his discharge.

On November 30, 1947 he was married to Ola Mae Dykes, and survivors include his wife and seven children, Debra Jean, Dwanne Allen, Kirby Joe, Glenda Kay, Susan Gail, Karen Lynn, and Rodney Earl.

Also surviving are his parents, two brothers, Melvin and Ronald, and three sisters, Mrs. Albert (Alice) Rabe, Mrs. J. B. (Elaine) Rabe, and Mrs. Morris (Alda) Engebretsen.

This gravestone photo was found on nebraskagravestones.org.

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