Donald Grotte, age 69, of St. Francis died August 8, 2016 at the Veterans Hospital in Minneapolis. A celebration of life service will be held at 11 A.M. on Friday, August 12th at Long Lake Lutheran Church with Rev. Matt Flom officiating. Friends and family may gather 1 hour before the service at the church. Military honors will be provided by the Isanti VFW Post 2735. He will be laid to rest in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, Camp Ripley. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the East Central Minnesota Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 684.
Donald Charles Grotte was born April 22, 1947 in LaCrosse, Wisconsin to Leonard and Joyce (Baker) Wood. He was adopted and raised by John and Evelyn Grotte in Quincy, Illinois. Don graduated from Quincy High School. Don joined the Army on June 20, 1966 and would serve in the military for 20 years. Don married Betty on August 31, 1975 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They lived in several places over the years because of his military career. After his Army discharge they lived in Aurora, Colorado and then moved to St. Francis in 1986 where they have since made their home. Don was a past Post Commander of the Isanti VFW Post 2735 and the “The Military Order of the Cooties”. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America and was active in the Isanti County Yellow Ribbon program. Don enjoyed going camping and was very active in many volunteer activities.
Don passed away at the Veterans Hospital in Minneapolis on August 8, 2016 at the age of 69 years, 3 months and 17 days. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, Sharon Gage. He is survived by his wife, Betty of St. Francis; 2 daughters, Misty Gott of Clear Lake, Wendy (Chris) Baumgardt of Nowthen; 6 grandchildren, Samantha, Benjamin, Faith, Tanner, Logan and MacKenzie; 3 sisters, Vickie (Virgil) Olson of Seattle, Joyce Devenport of LaCrosse. Cookie Wood of LaCrosse; 3 brothers, Bill (LaVonne) Wood of LaCrosse, Dennis Wood of LaCrosse, John Paul Grotte of Quincy; and by many other relatives and friends.
Butterfly's Massage says
He was always there with a helping hand….no matter the cost….he had so much experience and knowledge that he willingly shared with those who sought it out…..he will be fondly remembered and greatly missed
Crystal Sweet says
A memory of Don is from Aurora Colorado, where he and Betty were packing up their house to move to Minnesota with my Mom and Dads help. As apart of the neighborhood kid clan we were down stairs, perhaps playing one of the last games to be packed up, enjoying each other’s company for the last time. Don and Betty came down talking about making sure the next homeowners take care of the house as well as they did , and, we my brother and I, were to report back to him. After about a month the new owners had moved in and repainted the house an ugly green. All I could think was that Don would not approve of his house being this color and I kept it a secret even when would visit and he’d ask. I would just talk about the yard or plants being moved, absolutely nothing about the paint color.
Don, You are loved and will be missed!
Crystal (Garten) Sweet
TamiProvost says
Blessings, hugs and prayers for Betty and family during this journey of your loss.
Amy Albino says
Don was a great help for me when I got back from Afghanistan. He got me in touch with the right people, and was always there with a listening ear. I admired his willingness to help other veterans, whether it was organizing trips to visit the folks at the Vet’s Home, or just sharing stories. He was a good man.
james dehn says
Don was a great friend to all and especially me as we started the Isanti county Safe Cab program.
He was a driving force at the Isanti VFW to get SAFE CAB started there and would not accept no from anyone in helping us spread the program.We had many friendly office visits and he was truly a friend I could count on.We are all sad to hear about this good man’s passing.
Judge James E.Dehn
Jack Curry says
Last saw Don at funeral of Evelyn Grotte many years ago. He always had a friendly smile and courteous manner. Never got to share stories of our military time.
Rest in peace, Old Soldier.
Jack Curry
Viet Nam Veteran
Retired Mortician