Obituary of Francis J. Grode

Francis J. Grode, 95, formerly of Port Edwards, died Monday, August 4, 2014 at Kennedy Park Nursing Home in Schofield. A private family service will be held at a later date. Burial will be in Port Edwards Cemetery. Herman-Taylor Funeral Home will be assisting the family. Francis was born January 26, 1919, in Nekoosa, to Joseph and Catherine (Rippl) Grode. He married Dorothy E. Platts on August 10, 1952 in Nekoosa. She died May 21, 2004. He was employed by Nekoosa Edwards Paper Company prior to enlisting in the U. S. Army. He served during World War II from June 1941 - November 1945 participating in the New Guinea and Philippines campaigns. He then owned and operated Grode Company building custom homes for several years and was later employed by Yeskie & Son Builders. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Port Edwards and its Fishermen's Club and also served as trustee, elder and usher over many years. Survivors include his son, Paul Grode of the Town of Port Edwards; daughter, Jeanne (Brian) Johnston of Plano, Texas; brother, William Grode of Oak Creek; sister, Rosemary (Norman) Femling of Pulaski; grandchildren, Nicholas (Erin) Grode, Jesse and Luke Johnston, Andrew (Nolani) Dengel, and Kristy (Chris) Stoerzer. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; brothers, Joseph and Richard Grode; sisters, Eunice Brost, Geraldine Oleson, and Edna Mae Stelzer; daughter-in-law, Loretta Grode; grandson, Matthew Grode; and an infant child. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to Camp Luther, Three Lakes, Wisconsin.