Robert “Bob” Grommesch
Robert Cornelius Grommesch was born on Monday, July 26, 1926, on the family farm in Sand Creek Township, to parents William I. and Frances C (Stocker) Grommesch. He was the oldest of four children. Bob’s childhood years were spent growing up and helping his parents on the farm, milking cows and growing potatoes. Bob attended St. Mary’s Marystown School through the eighth grade.
After grade school, Bob continued to work on the farm. At the age of 22, his life now included a loving bride named, Rose C. Hennes. On Wednesday, August 18, 1948 at the Church of St. Mark in Shakopee, MN, they exchanged wedding vows. Bob and Rose were blessed with two children, Gene and Sharon.
In 1951, Bob and Rose bought a farm in Helena Township. As a family, they milked cows and did custom combining for area farmers until 1974. Prior to retiring as a farmer, Bob started dappling in landscaping. A man of strong work ethics, he took landscaping to a full time business. Bob owned and operated “Grommesch Sod Service” until retiring in 2005.
For many decades during the winter months, Bob, his dad, brothers and later on his own family spent countless hours making homemade sausage for families. He was also the chief pie crust maker for the family’s annual apple pie event. With a passion for music, Bob and Rose spent over 30 years entertaining crowds as he played the guitar and drums and she played the concertina for the Wild Cats Band.
In his free time, Bob loved to hunt deer and turkeys with his family. He enjoyed winter and summer fishing, scuba diving and was an avid motorcycle rider taking trips to Sturgis. Bob also took cross country trips in the motor home with his children and grandchildren. He even enjoyed swimming in his pool with the grandchildren. For 58 years, Bob and Rose lived on the farm until moving into the Schule Haus this past March.
A man of many talents, Bob was fun loving, a jokester and a friend to all. He was known for his one liners and having a great sense of humor. A resident of Jordan, Bob passed away peacefully in the presence of his loving family the late evening of Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee, MN.
Forever loved, Bob will be deeply missed by his wife of 63 years, Rose; children, Gene (Mary) Grommesch of Jordan, Sharon (Arlen) Schwichtenberg of Carver; grandchildren, Christine (Chad) Jeurissen, Carrie (Scott) Holthusen, Catherine (Mark) Knudson, Chuck Grommesch, Paul (Annie) Schwichtenberg; great-grandchildren, Lacey, Leah, Makayla, Nora, Connor, Ethan, Carson, Joseph; sister, Rosella Hennes of Shakopee; sister-in-law, Teresa Grommesch of Shakopee; many other loving relatives and friends.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Frances; brother, Jim Grommesch; sister, Bea (Max) Wermerskirchen and brother-in-law, Ray Hennes.
Pallbearers for Bob will be Chuck Grommesch, Paul Schwichtenberg, Chad Jeurissen, Scott Holthusen, Mark Knudson, Dick Hennes, Larry Wermerskirchen and Mark Grommesch.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, May 19th at 12:30 p.m., with visitation two hours prior to the mass all at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 313 East Second Street, Jordan. Father Thomas Joseph will officiate. Bob will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery in Jordan, MN.
The Grommesch family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Jordan Chapel.
