Obituary for Freddie Grell
Freddie M. Grell Danbury, IA - Freddie M. "Pop" Grell, 85, of Danbury, Iowa entered eternal rest April 7, 2012, at Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove, Iowa surrounded by the family he so dearly loved. The funeral Mass will be Tuesday, April 10 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Danbury with Rev. Terry Roder officiating. Burial will be in the Danbury Catholic Cemetery with military graveside honors provided by the American Legion Carlson-Frum Post #336 of Danbury. Visitation will be Monday, April 9 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a vigil wake service at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Danbury. Visitation will resume Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until Mass time. The obituary can be found and on line condolences can be left for the family at armstrongfuneral.com. Freddie Matthew Grell was born February 16, 1927, at Boyer, Iowa one of eight children to Mathew and Alvina (Carstens) Grell. Soon thereafter, the family moved to the Mapleton area. After the death of his father, when Freddie was just in his teens, he became responsible for the family farming operation, a challenge in which he proved himself successful. During those same years, he started driving truck for Reinbold Trucking in Mapleton, the beginning of a lifelong career. At 21, he bought his first truck and took over Grell Trucking from his brother, Arnold. Though he was in competition with multiple other trucking firms at the time, Freddie continued to expand his business over a period of 62 years. He always said that he got to live his dream by trucking. He did not only local hauling but many interstate loads as well and felt appreciative of the multiple loyal drivers who worked for him over the many years and his faithful customers. His family also worked in the business with his wife, Evonne, serving as his dispatcher. He was proud to say that he never had an accident in the thousands and thousands of miles he was on the road. He always gave his best to every job he took on and would donate his time and trucks to help people move and haul 4-H livestock to the fairgrounds. In later years, Freddie enjoyed working at Terra and for various farmers, still trucking. Freddie served his country in Korea in the United States Army from August of 1952 until July of 1954. On May 24, 1950, Freddie was united in marriage to Evonne Kennaley at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Danbury. The couple lived in Danbury where they raised their children. He was a faithful member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Danbury where he also worked mowing the church and school yards for over 20 years. Freddie loved go to carnivals and county fairs as well as raise a huge garden every year. The family would combine business with pleasure by visiting attractions while on the road. They spent summers in their trailer and camper in Okoboji where Freddie could get away from the phone for a short time, enjoy his family, and relax his body and spirit. He was a member of the American Legion Carlson-Frum Post #336 of Danbury. Those survivors left to smile as they recall their memories of Freddie include Evonne, his wife of 62 years; two daughters, Dolly Varner and her husband, Dan, of Sioux City, Iowa and Anne Carlson of Ida Grove, Iowa two sons, Tom Grell of Spencer, Iowa and Jamey Grell and his wife, Anna, of Danbury, Iowa; a special granddaughter who they raised, Angie Watkins and her husband, Neal, of Ida Grove, Iowa; one sister, Betty Paulsen of Denison, Iowa; nine grandchildren; and six great grandchildren; along with many nieces and nephews; good friends and neighbors. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Jerry Grell; one brother, Arnold "A.J." Grell; and five sisters, Marie, Edna, Jeanette, Dorothy, and Emma.
Service:
11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 10, 2012
St. Mary's Catholic Church Danbury, IA
Visitation:
Monday, April 9, 2012 4:00-7:00 p.m. Vigil Wake at 7:00 p.m.
St. Mary's Catholic Church Danbury, IA
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Service:
11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 10, 2012
St. Mary's Catholic Church Danbury, IA
Visitation:
Monday, April 9, 2012 4:00-7:00 p.m. Vigil Wake at 7:00 p.m.
St. Mary's Catholic Church Danbury, IA
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