Martin B. Gronau
Martin B. Gronau, 85, died Monday (June
18, 2001) at Newton Medical Center.
He was born Aug. 21, 1915, to Frank and
Rosa (Adler) Gronau in rural Whitewater. They preceded him in death.
He married Margaret Grochowsky Nov. 24, 1938, in Newton. She
survives.
He attended the Whitewater school
system and worked on the family farm. In addition to farming, he was
employed with the Santa Fe Railmill and the Santa Fe Mail Dock. He
also was employed at the Newton Sale Barn on E. 12th Street in
Newton, the Cow Palace, the Newton Livestock Auction and the Newton
Hog Buying Station for many years. He enjoyed building and built the
family house, barn and machine shed on the farm where he lived until
his death. He did all the work on the farm including electrical,
plumbing and maintenance. He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Catholic Church in Newton and helped build the new church and
rectory. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Newton.
Earlier in his life he enjoyed playing baseball in Newton. He loved
his family and spent much time creating woodworking crafts and toys
for his children, grandchildren and other family.
Other survivors include: a son, Don
Gronau of Newton; four daughters, Theresa Saven of Painesville, Ohio,
Margaret Mary Buchman of Alta Vista, Darlene Reuter of Kansas City,
Mo., and Becky Torres of Newton; a brother, William Gronau of Newton;
a sister, Katherine Overwaul of Wichita; 23 grandchildren; and eight
great-grandchildren.
He also was preceded in death by: a
son, Anthony Gronau; three brothers, Albert Gronau, John Gronau and
Bernard Gronau; and three sisters, Rosie Gronau, Mary McNeill and
Anna Endres.
Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m.
today and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at Broadway Colonial Funeral
Home.
Recitation of the rosary will be 7 p.m.
Thursday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday
at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with Fr. Floyd McKinney
officiating.
Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic
Cemetery.
Memorials have been established with
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in care of the funeral home.
