Leo E. Grote, age 82, of Wall Lake, Iowa passed away on Monday, March 2, 2020, at the MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center of Sioux City, Iowa.
A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 6, 2020, at the Trinity Presbyterian Church of Wall Lake, Iowa. Pastor Carl Lee will officiate. Committal will follow in the Wall Lake Cemetery of Wall Lake, Iowa. A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 5, 2020, at the Trinity Presbyterian Church of Wall Lake, Iowa. The Christensen-Van Houten
Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com
Leo Erwin Grote, the son of Anton and Loretta (Hinners) Grote, was born on January 24, 1938, in Arcadia, Iowa. He grew up on the family farm north of Arcadia and graduated from Arcadia High School with the class of 1957.
On January 11, 1965, Leo married the love of his life Lois Albrecht in Jackson, Minnesota. The couple first settled in Odebolt, Iowa, before relocating to Wall Lake, Iowa, in 1967. Leo and Lois were blessed with three children: Perry, Michelle, and Christopher. Leo held various jobs throughout his life. Starting in his youth at Neil Richardson Implement and then Quinn Popcorn. He started his trucking career hauling for TJaden Oil and transitioned to CPS formerly known as Boyer Valley, where he hauled farm chemical 35 years. Leo enjoyed collecting International tractor memorabilia, dancing to the Waltz and Polka music, and firing up his grill. He was an avid gardener and took pride in manicuring his lawn. He will be remembered for his beautiful vegetable garden and his love of sweets. His family fondly remembers finding root beer barrel hard candies in his pockets and hidden in the car. In 2012, Leo was diagnosed with Alzheimer disease and through the last five years of his battle he found comfort in his four-legged companion Hawkeye.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 55 years, Lois Grote of Wall Lake, IA; children, Perry (Karen) Grote of Wall Lake, IA, Michelle (Mark) Wyrick of Boone, IA, and Christopher (Jodi) Grote of Wall Lake, IA; five grandchildren: Brayton (Kirstin) Grote of Ankeny, IA, Josie and Jada Wyrick of Boone, IA, and Connor and Olivia Grote of Wall Lake, IA; great-grandson Beau Grote; brothers, Arnold (Marilyn) Grote, Michael Grote, and Walter (Kathy) Grote all of Wall Lake, IA; sister Luella (Bob) Wilwerding of Defiance, IA; brother-in-law Jim Meister of Lake View, IA; and sister-in-law Sharon Grote of Carroll, IA; four legged companion Hawkeye;
nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Leo was preceded in death by his parents Anton and Loretta Grote; brother Anthony Grote; and sister Mary Ann Meister.