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Grosshans Obituary
Richard ‘Dick’ Grosshans, age 90, of Aurora, passed away on Friday, May 17, 2024 at Memorial Community Care.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 23 at the Presbyterian United Church of Christ in Aurora. Rev. Penny Schulz will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Aurora Cemetery. No Visitation. Memorials may be made to the family to designate at a later date. Higby-McQuiston Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family through the mortuary website at www.higbymortuary.com.
Richard Lee Grosshans, known as Dick, was born on March 5, 1934 in Stockham. He was the son of Arthur and Gweneth Grosshans. Dick passed away in Aurora, on May 17, 2024, at the age of 90.
Dick spent the first nine years of his life in Stockham. His family then moved to Aurora, where he graduated from Aurora High School in 1953. He participated in football, basketball, and track. He was awarded Athlete of the Year in 1953. After high school, Dick attended Hastings College, where he studied agriculture and played basketball.
In 1954, Dick enlisted in the U.S. Army and was part of the anti-aircraft division stationed in Stuttgart, Germany until 1956. Upon returning home, Dick worked for his family at Grosshans Sales and Service and Grosshans Motors and started farming in 1957. He was also a partner in Del-Ray Manufacturing for many years. After retirement, Dick continued to help on the family farm and was often found making daily stops around town.
Dick married Janet Oswald on September 2, 1956, at the Federated Church in Aurora, where he was a lifelong member. They had three children: Nick, Ned, and Julie.
He was a member of the American Legion for 68 years and was active with the color guard. He served on the Aurora Volunteer Fire Department for 21 years, which included a term as president. Dick enjoyed gardening and sharing his produce, fishing vacations, and spending time with family and friends.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Gweneth Grosshans, sister Gweneth Allen, brothers-in-law Stan Allen and Gip Barnell, and daughters-in-law Gaylene Grosshans and Rhonda Grosshans.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Janet; children Nick Grosshans and Ned Grosshans of Aurora, and Julie (Bill) Krause of Auburn; nine grandchildren: Brandon (Tanya) Grosshans, Carrie (Michael) Crosby, Brian (Cassie) Shaw, Stephanie (BJ) Floyd, Chelsea (Seth) Kerwin, Darrin Grosshans (Megan Anson), Morgan (Brandon) Ebberson, Matthew Grosshans (fiancee Shelby Gowen), Maggie (Nick) Preissler; and 19 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Shirley Barnell.
