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Gary Grove

Dec 5, 2022

June 10, 1953 – Nov. 25, 2022

Gary Sigfred Grove, 69, passed away in his home south of Balta under the care of his family on Friday, November 25, 2022. He was born on June 10, 1953 to Sigfred and Ione (Oksendahl) Grove in Rugby at the Good Samaritan Hospital. Gary attended school in Rugby and graduated from Rugby High School in 1971. He got his associates degree at North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton for Diesel Mechanics. After graduating, he spent time on a seismograph boat along the gulf coast. A while later, he moved back to Minot, where he worked at several Diesel shops including Midland Diesel. While working and living in Minot, he met Mary (Solar) whom he later married on April 10, 1976. During their time in Minot, they had their first child, Brandon, and shortly after moved to Montana where Gary began working as a logger. They had their second child, Jessica, before relocating back to Des Lacs where Gary worked for Des Lacs Sand and Gravel before starting his own mechanic shop. He also continued employment at Midland Diesel while working weekends back home on the family farm in Rugby with his brothers Bob, Warren, and his father Sig. They had their third child Crystal, before moving back to Rugby to start farming in 1989. He worked as a butcher at Bickler’s Jack & Jill while building up his own cattle herd. The family’s final move was to their current farmstead south of Balta which they purchased in 1995. He continued ranching and farming until his passing.

Gary appreciated spending time with family, friends, and his neighbors. He had especially fond memories of his time spent with Johnny and Gunda “Connie” Koble and their family. He also enjoyed making hay, hunting, fishing, and socializing while appreciating a great cup of coffee. Gary was always trying to make the best of everything and loved making people laugh. He enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren grow and was great at teaching them new life lessons around the farm. Gary loved being outdoors and all his farm animals, including his livestock. He was great working with his hands, could fix anything that was broken and always kept himself busy. However, he was never too busy to help a neighbor in need. Gary was kind, patient and always had a smile or joke to share.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Grove; his three children, Brandon (Julie) Grove of Rugby, Jessica (Jason) Knatterud of Oberon, Crystal Grove (Nick Voeller) of Rugby; his mother, Ione (Oksendahl) Grove of Rugby; mother-in-law, Arlene Solar of Des Lacs; grandchildren, Dylan, Riley, Hudson and Bella Grove, Akala, Kaylee and Corbin Knatterud and Levi and Katelyn Saxton; brother, Warren (Kathy) Grove of Rugby; sisters, Patty (Jim) Corbit of Hebron, Kentucky and Brenda (Dennis) Jundt of Rugby; sisters-in-law, Diane (Tom) Witteman of Mohall, Charette (Keith) Crabb of Des Lacs, Julie Solar of Minot and Nancy (Nick) Vaira of Glasgow, Montana; nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert; brother-in-law, Rodney Solar; his father, Sigfred Grove; father-in-law, Rudy Solar and his grandparents.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 29th at First Lutheran Church in Rugby with burial at Bethel Cemetery, south of Rugby. Pastor Sharon Baker, officiating.

Organist: Angie Deplazes

Music: “Be Not Afraid”, “Amazing Grace” Recorded – “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban –

“Go Rest High” by Vince Gill, “I’ll Fly Away” by Alan Jackson

Readers: Akala Knatterud & Riley Grove

Casket Bearers: Lance Grove, Zachary Grove, Amos Grove, Dustin Jundt, Dylan Grove, Levi Saxton.

Arrangements with the Anderson Funeral Home of Rugby. Online registry: www.funeralsbyanderson.com