(Photo) (Veteran)

Robert Grote, 82

Robert William Grote was born to John and Mollie Grote on August 6, 1934, in rural Shickley. He passed away November 29, 2016, at Bryan East Hospital in Lincoln at the age of 82 years, 3 months and 23 days. He was the youngest of seven children and spent his entire life in the Shickley area.

Robbie grew up in Shickley, receiving the sacrament of Baptism on August 12, 1934, along with First Reconciliation, First Communion, and his Confirmation on October 1, 1947, at St. Mary's Catholic Church. He attended country school in rural Shickley through the eighth grade, after which he stayed home to continue working on the family farm.

He served in the Army between 1958 and 1960. After the Army, Robbie returned to Shickley and began working at Alf's Well Drilling.

Robbie was married to Carol Ann Buell of Cordova on August 7, 1963, and their marriage was blessed with four children, Todd, Kent, Kelli and Kurt.

He worked at the grain elevator in Shickley for 39 years. In 1972, he partnered with his brother Gerald and the Biegert Family to purchase Shickley Grain Company. He had a tremendous work ethic, which he passed on to his children. He was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion Post #164 in Shickley. He enjoyed playing cards and taught all of his children, at a very young age, how to play so they could enjoy his favorite pastime, also. He enjoyed playing ball and could often be found at the center of a game in the backyard playing with his kids and grandkids. Robbie never missed many of his kid's events and continued to travel to watch all of his grandkids' activities as well. Family was very important to Robbie and you could tell that by how he spent much of his time. He especially loved being a grandpa.

Robbie is survived by his wife, Carol; sister, Margaret Everts of Seward; son, Todd, and daughter-in-law, Mary, of Carmel, IN; son, Kent of Fox Lake, IL; daughter, Kelli, and son-in-law, Jim Ray, of Blair; son, Kurt, and daughter-in-law, Kristen, of Blair; 12 grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mollie Grote; by his brothers, Bernard, Don and Gerald; by his sisters, Eleanor Oates and Mary Olson; and nephews, Fred, Jeff, and Charles Grote.

A Funeral Mass was held for Robbie on Saturday, December 3, 2016, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Shickley, Nebraska. Father Scott Courtney and Monsignor Ivan Vap officiated the Mass. Olivia Thomas accompanied the congregation in the singing of “On Eagles’ Wings,” “How Great Thou Art,” “I Am The Bread Of Life,” and “Faith Of Our Father.” She also accompanied Ted Dondlinger in the singing of “Our Father Has Light In His Window.”

Pallbearers for the service included Matthew Grote, Stephen Grote, Christopher Grote, Nick Grote, Tommy Grote, Cody Unick, and Adam Grote. Honorary Bearers included Ashley Unick, Emma Grote, Kathryn Grote, Chase Ray and Allyson Ray. Graveside services were held in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery with Full Military Honors provided by the Shickley American Legion Post #164. Memorials are directed to the St. Mary’s Catholic Church or the Shickley American Legion Post #164.

Farmer & Son Funeral Home conducted services and online condolences may be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

FindaGrave # 173346118