Donald W. Grote, age 80, of Benson, died Tuesday, December 16, 2014, at the Glacial Ridge Health System in Glenwood, MN. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 22, 2014, at the chapel of the Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck, MN. Interment will be in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Morris. Donald William Grote was born May 6, 1934, in Morris, Minnesota, to Albert G. and Avis M. (Freeman) Grote. He grew up with six siblings on a farm SE of Morris and graduated from Morris High School in 1952. Donald served as a Seaman in the United States Navy. He completed electronics training at the Northwestern Television and Electronics Institute in Minneapolis. Donald was united in marriage to Kahla Maureen Ladd in 1955 and this union was blessed with six children. Donald worked at Honeywell in Minneapolis from 1956-1971. They lived in Coon Rapids until moving to Starbuck in 1972. Don worked in Morris and Benson from 1972-1980. He worked in St Paul for a few years and then returned to Benson. He worked at Gary's Mens Ware and also St. Frances Catholic Church from Sept 1990 - July 2001. He married Lois J Flaten on November 15, 1986. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and playing Casino slot machines. Donald passed away Tuesday, December 16, 2014, at the Glacial Ridge Health System in Glenwood, MN. He was a resident at Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck, MN for two years. He had attained 80 years, 7 months, and 10 days of age. He is survived by his children: Brian (DeAnn) Grote of Sabin, Randy Grote of Glenwood, Kara Jean (Wes) Schultz of Alexandria and Marco Island, FL, Thomas Grote, and Mary (Eric) Danielson of Starbuck; grandchildren: Nels (Megan) Grote, Derek Grote, Jason (Rose) Schultz, Jennifer (Cory) Hodgson, Erika (friend, Mathias Burggraff) Weisenberger, Shana (Colin) Marcusen, Brady (Grace) Danielson, and Cory Danielson; four great-grandchildren: Hudson Grote, Peyton Hodgson, Miles Marcusen, Lainey Marcusen; sisters: Alberta (Jim) Klingensmith, Luverne Hennen, LaDell Cress, and Debbie (Mark) Edlund. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Avis Grote; son, Daniel Grote; wife, Lois Flaten in 2011; and brothers, Robert Grote and Gerald Grote.
