Walter F. Grosser

Walter F. Grosser, age 90, of Decorah, Iowa, died Saturday, February 28, 2009 at Patty Elwood Center in Cresco, Iowa following a short illness. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at First Lutheran Church in Decorah by Rev. Steven M. Jacobsen with burial at 1:30 P.M. Wednesday in Phelps Cemetery in Decorah. Visitation is from 4:00 – 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, March 10, at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah, and on Wednesday after 10:00 A.M. at the church. Walter Fred Grosser was born February 14, 1919, in Minneapolis, MN, the son of Joseph Peter “JP” and Pauline Ernestine (Milke) Grosser. He attended Cresco Schools, graduating with the class of 1937. He was united in marriage to Edith Norma Anderson on July 14, 1940 at Jerico Lutheran Church in Jerico, Iowa. This union was blessed with two sons, Richard and Charles. During WWII, he worked for Lockheed Corp in Glendale, CA, making airplanes. Following the war, he and Edith moved to Decorah. They, along with his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Palmer O. & Audrey Anderson, operated The Barb Restaurant for nine years. In 1955 he and Palmer purchased the Schlitz/Drewrys Beer Distributorship, which they ran for the next 30 years. He retired in 1985. He found the greatest pleasure in “going for a ride” during retirement as well as playing cards with his friends and a little golf. Walter was a longtime member of Oneota Country Club, the Elks Club, Great Lights Masonic Lodge and First Lutheran Church where he served as a Deacon. He was also on the board of Phelps Cemetery and the Planning & Zoning Commission. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Richard Grosser of Jefferson, IA on December 5, 1985; one brother, Kenneth Grosser and his wife, Jean, of Santa Barbara, CA; and 3 brothers-in-law: Palmer O. Anderson of Decorah, Cletus Anderson and Calvin Anderson of Jerico. Walter is survived by his wife, Edith of Decorah; his son, Charles (Teresa) Grosser of Decorah; his granddaughter, Jeanette (Chris) Cotant of Cresco; three great-grandchildren: Katrina, Kendall and Karissa Cotant of Cresco; one brother, James (Rose Marie) Grosser of Azusa, CA; his brother-in-law, David (Phyllis) Anderson of New Hampton, IA; two sisters-in-law, Audrey Anderson of Decorah and Laurine Anderson of Mankato, MN; as well as many nieces and nephews. Memorials may be directed to Phelps Cemetery Association, Aase Haugen Home Activity Fund, Patty Elwood Center Activity Fund in Cresco, First Lutheran Church, or the Flower Basket Fund-Decorah Betterment Association.