Donald Leroy Grotrian, one of five children of Carl and Leona (Brehm) Grotrian, was born April 4, 1926 on the family farm near Cook, Nebraska. Don was baptized June 27, 1926 at Cook and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Talmage, Nebraska. He attended rural school near his home and graduated from Talmage High School.
On May 5, 1947 Donald was united in marriage to Viola Teten in St. Paul Lutheran Church at Talmage. They first made their home in the Talmage area, and then moved to a farm near Brock, Nebraska where they lived for the next 51 years. The couple was blessed with five children: Charles, Barbara, twins Robert and Ronald, and Gerald.
Donald enjoyed a lifetime of farming and raising cattle. He had also worked in construction with Louis Haack of Johnson and for 15 years as an assistant custodian at Johnson-Brock Public School.
Throughout his years as a member of Trinity Lutheran, which became Faith Lutheran Church, Donald served on the church council, sang in the church choir for many years, and served the Lord in many ways. He enjoyed pitching horseshoes, hunting and fishing, playing cards, and following his grandchildren in their activities.
After a courageous battle with cancer, and with his family around him, Donald passed away Sunday, November 13, 2011 at the Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn. He had reached the age of 85 years, 7 months, and 9 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law Bill Lynch, brother Glen and his wife Darlene Grotrian, sister Loretta and her husband Carl Teten, and brothers-in-law Victor and Merlyn Teten.
Surviving are his wife of 64 years Viola of Auburn; children Charles and wife Judy Grotrian of Brock; Barbara Lynch of Auburn; Robert and wife Kathy Grotrian of Humboldt; Ronald and wife Deb Grotrian of Johnson; Gerald and wife Chris Grotrian of Johnson; grandchildren and great-grandchildren Jay and Michel Grotrian, Reis, Max, and Benét; Sheri and Kyle Ryan and Kai; Jennifer and Eric Gooding, Connor and Kyleigh; Jeff and Shannon Lynch and Creighton; Bobbi and Steve Tegtmeier, Derek and Dylan; Ryan and Kim Grotrian, Sayge and Sawyer; Kerri and Brian Lambert; Derek and Crystal Grotrian and Peyton; Douglas Grotrian; Junior and Shannon Grotrian, Hannah and Wyatt; Jackie Grotrian and Craig Chedsey; Jamie and Monique Grotrian; sister Lois and husband Donald Wellman of Auburn; brother Paul and wife Dolores Grotrian of Johnson; sister-in-law Georgia Teten of Nebraska City; brother-in-law Roger and wife Mary Teten of Talmage; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services will be Thursday, November 17, 10:30 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Talmage. Burial will follow at St. Paul Cemetery near Talmage. Visitation will be at the funeral home Tuesday noon to 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends Wednesday 6:00 to 8:00.
Memorials are suggested to Faith Lutheran Church, St. Paul Cemetery, or family choice.