Donald LeRoy Gruhot

Mass of Christian Burial for Donald “Don” Gruhot, 91, of Marshall, will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 4, 2024, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall. Visitation will be Sunday, November 3, from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 3:00 p.m. and a CCW Rosary at 5:00 p.m. at the Horvath Remembrance Center in Marshall. Visitation will continue on Monday from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at the Remembrance Center. Interment will follow the service at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Marshall. Military Honors provided by U.S. American Legion Post 113 of Marshall. A recording of the service will be available at www.holy-redeemer.com.

Donald (Don) LeRoy Gruhot was born at home in rural Ghent, MN, on December 4, 1932, to Lottie (Przymus) and Max Gruhot. He was the third of seven children. He was baptized and confirmed in Ivanhoe, MN, in the Catholic faith. He attended country school in Ivanhoe and graduated from Ivanhoe High School in 1950.

As a teenager he enjoyed working for area farmers. In November 1954 he enlisted in the U.S. Army, spending time at Fort Belvoir, VA, and Fort Bliss, TX. He was honorably discharged in 1957. He worked additional jobs in construction with Allen Dwire. In August 1960, he began working for the GTA Elevator / Harvest States in Marshall, MN. He remained there for 35 years until retirement in 1995, and even an additional 10 years working part-time following his retirement. During this time, he was united in marriage to Hermandina Lamote on November 23, 1960. The couple resided in Marshall where they started their family. In August of 1972, he moved his wife and 6 children to a farm site he had purchased near Balaton, MN. He introduced his children to the responsibilities of gardening, including planting, picking, and selling cucumbers. He fenced his land and raised sheep and chickens…and any stray pets the kids brought home. He and his wife moved back to Marshall in 1992 enjoying their later years with family and grandchildren. Don enjoyed fishing, playing cards, puzzles, gardening, watching car races, tractor shows, playing rolle bolle, visiting and reminiscing, and always having a good laugh with family and friends. He especially looked forward to hosting the annual family Fourth of July celebration.

 He passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on October 29, 2024, at his residence. Grateful for sharing his life and love are his wife, Dina of Marshall; children, Sandra (Robert) Hagberg of San Tan Valley, AZ; Gloria (Allen) Vandelanotte of Cottonwood, MN; Joan Johnson of Marshall, MN; Jim (Ellen) Gruhot of St. Peter, MN; Nancy (John) Emblom of Miltona, MN; Janel (Kyle) Venekamp of Marshall, MN; grandchildren, Jordan Iverson (Ashley Reynaga), Carter Iverson, Whitney (Tyler) Jeseritz, Sara (Tony) Iverson, Lukas (Samantha) Vandelanotte, Ashley Johnson (Jordan Buysse), Lee (Jessica) Gilb, Ron (Brittany) Gilb, Faren Nygaard, Tyler Venekamp, Maxx Venekamp ; 14 great-grandchildren; 5 step-grandchildren; 7 step great-grandchildren; sister, Darlene Berndt (and friend Joe Goblish), sister-in-law Marjo Gruhot and many other nieces, nephews, family and friends.

He was preceded in death by both parents, Max and Lottie Gruhot; son-in-law, Lowell Johnson; sister, Maxine St. Aubin; four brothers, Leonard, David, Elmer, and Edwin; brothers-in-law, Louis St. Aubin, Algene Hoffman, Ken Berndt; sisters-in-law, Lorraine Gruhot, Sharon Gruhot, and Cathy Gruhot.