Sylvester Gordon Grote, was born Dec. 25, 1913 in the farming community of Greely, located a few miles north of Rush Lake in Nessel Township. The son of Otto and Augusta (Studt) Grote, he grew up on the family farm with his sisters and brothers, Loretta, Mildred, William, and Gilbert. He was lovingly known to his family and friends as Sy.

On June 18, 1938, Sy was united in marriage to the former Lavina Sorensen. They made their first home with his parents on their farm, and a few years later they purchased their own farm in the Greely community. Sy and Lavina raised their children, Helen and Robert, on the farm and lived there all of their married life.

Sy farmed the land, milked cows, and raised pigs and beef cattle until he retired. He looked forward to the spring and summer months when he could work in the fields, and as he grew older he drove tractor for neighboring farmers. Following his retirement he kept busy working at the Co-op Station in Rush City and the sales barns in Rush City and Mora, Minn. He enjoyed traveling with the cattle buyers from farm to farm, buying and hauling cattle.

Sy was an enthusiastic fisherman and enjoyed several trips to Canada. One of his most memorable trips was to Lake Michigan where he caught a 25 pound salmon. In later years he was content to fish with his daughter closer to home on Fish Lake near Harris, Minn. They always cleaned and shared the catches with his family and friends. Deer hunting was another activity that he thoroughly enjoyed, and especially so when he was joined by his son, grandson, and great grandson. He loved to play cards, and celebrating his birthday on Christmas Day was a very special family event.

Progressing ill health caused Sy to become a resident of the Hillcrest Healthcare Center in Rush City where he died on Sunday, May 29, 2006. He was 92 years of age.

He is survived by his daughter, Helen Anderson of Harris, Minn.; his son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Kay Grote of Blaine, Minn.; grandchildren Duane (Kari) Anderson, Brenda (David) Schuldt, Donna (Tim) Ferguson, Timothy Grote and Brian (Carrie) Grote; great-grandchildren Michael, Mitchell, and Cody Anderson, Heather, Bryan and Travis Schuldt, Katrina and Alexis Ferguson, Michael and Mathew Grote, Brian C. and Kristi Grote.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lavina, sisters Mildred Wendt and Mildred Wendt, and brothers William and Gilbert Grote.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 1, at St. Johnís Lutheran Church in Rush City with the Reverend Glen Kleppe officiating. Music was provided by organist Dick Scheele and soloist Jon Scheele. Casket bearers were Duane Anderson Timothy Grote, Brian Grote, Brian C. Grote, David Schuldt, and Tim Ferguson. Interment was at St. Johnís Lutheran Cemetery in Rush City. Arrangements were entrusted to the Olson Chapel, Funeral & Cremation Service, Rush City, Minn.

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