Kenneth A Grove

  Kenneth A. Grove was born on August 9, 1927 to Allen and Fern (Buethe) Grove in rural Elk Creek, Nebraska.   Many fond memories were made on the farm where he was raised along with his brothers Don and Wayne and sister June, and they would often reminisce about those early days.   

  Kenneth attended country school and later graduated from Elk Creek High School in 1944.  Besides helping with work on the farm, Kenneth played basketball during high school and unbeknownst to his mother at the time, learned the sport of boxing.   Kenneth served during WWII in the U.S. Army from Sept. 26, 1946 to Feb. 23, 1948. After returning from service in Japan, he met Mary Alice Buerstetta and they were married on June 26, 1949.   They were blessed with four children, Jim, Ann, Steven, and Linda.   Kenny and Mary started married life on a farm near Elk Creek, but soon after moved to a farm in Mary’s family south of Tecumseh.   They were in the dairy business for many years, retiring in Tecumseh in 1991.  His son Jim now lives on the farm.

  Kenny’s life was centered around the farm, but he always found time for hobbies that he enjoyed, such as playing cards with friends, fishing trips, golfing and travelling.   He learned the art of oil painting and enjoyed collecting marbles and metal toys, and after retiring, you could find Ken and Mary working together on puzzles and even putting together a couple of dollhouses.   Ken loved to go to coffee every day (sometimes twice a day) where he developed many special friendships, and he was always ready for a “road trip” to check on the crops.  

   Ken was very active in his church and community.   He served on the Board of Directors of Mid-America Dairymen for many years, member of Tecumseh School Board, VFW, Kiwanis (Civic Club), 4-H leader, Odd Fellow Lodge and Tecumseh Cemetery Association.   However, nothing was more important to him than serving his Lord and being active in the church, and through the years, he served on various church committees, taught adult Sunday School, and was very active in the church until his health started to decline. He was a lifetime member of the Methodist Church for over 75 years.

   Ken passed away on March 28, 2019 having reached the age of 91 years.   He is survived by his wife Mary Alice, son Jim Grove and wife Cheryl, daughters Ann Curry and husband Bob of Tecumseh and Linda Barnas and husband Chuck of Lincoln, brothers, Don Grove of Plattsmouth, Wayne Grove of Spokane, WA, and sister June Bartels and husband Ray of Elk Creek, sister-in-law, Betty Fink of Louisville, KY, grandchildren, Hope Grove, Kelly Hasselbalch and husband Bret, Katie West and husband Brian, Jeff Curry and wife Jennifer, Clayton Grove and fiance Kelsey, Erin Thuman and husband Jon, and Anthony Barnas, great-grandchildren, Krysten Winslow and husband Michael and Tabitha Herron and husband Dustin,  Jayson West and Bryan West, Lynn, Laci, Lexi and Levi Hasselbalch,  Kolton Grove, Brayden Wilcox, and Chance Harre, Bryson and Maddie Thuman, and Ansley and Bryn Curry,  great-great grandchildren Carter and Beau Winslow, Bryleigh Moxley, Emery and Kamryn Herron, and Robert West, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  

   Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Fern and Allen Grove, infant son Steven,  great-grandson Aidan Curry, sisters-in-law Meredith Grove and Eileen Grove, brother-in-law Wilbur Fink, and nephew Robert Fink.

   Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 1, 2019 at the United Methodist Church in Tecumseh, Nebraska with Rev. Rob Clark officiating.

  Visitation will be at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska, Sunday, March 31, 2019 from 1-8 p.m., with family greeting friends from 2-4 p.m.

   Memorials may go to the family’s choice.

   Interment will be in the Tecumseh Cemetery, Tecumseh, Nebraska with military honors by the Tecumseh VFW and American Legion Posts.

   Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.

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