Anthony “Tony” F. Grote, age 73, of Wall Lake, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, June 29, 2008 at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll, Iowa.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 2nd at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wall Lake with burial at the Wall Lake Cemetery. The Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Wall Lake is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation is at St. Joseph’s from 4:00-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 1st with a prayer service at 7:30.

Tony was born on December 27, 1934, to Anton and Loretta (Hinners) Grote on a farm north of Arcadia, Iowa. He attended school at St. John’s Catholic School in Arcadia and graduated from Arcadia High School in 1953.

On October 5, 1955, Tony was united in marriage to Janet Meyer. To this union three children were born: Candi, Mark and Carma. Three sons: Grant, Travis and Clint Ranniger joined the family when Tony married Sharon Kasperbauer Ranniger on June 16, 1984, in Wall Lake.

Tony worked in the popcorn business most of his life and then worked at American Home Shield in Carroll until his retirement in 2004. Some of his favorite things to do included: riding horses and spending time at his ranch; working in his garden; painting and remodeling houses; and dancing at the Lakewood. He was an excellent cook and took pride in coming up with new dishes. Tony was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wall Lake.

Tony was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother. He loved spending time with family and friends. Survivors include his wife Sharon of Wall Lake; two daughters: Candace Robbins and fiancé Dennis Green of Lake View and Carma Reinert of Wall Lake; three sons: Mark Grote of Estherville, Grant Ranniger of Rockwell City, and Travis Ranniger of Wall Lake; grandchildren: Matt (Suzzette) Robbins of Clinton, Michelle Robbins together with Matt Kilts of Perry, Cody Reinert of Cherokee, Josh Reinert of Wall Lake, Alissa Reinert of Wall Lake, and Logan Riedell of Lake View; and two great-grandchildren: Heaven Leigh Robbins and Owen Kilts. Other survivors include his sisters: Mary Ann (Jim) Meister of Lake View and Luella (Bob) Wilwerding of Defiance; four brothers: Arnie (Marilyn) Grote, Leo (Lois) Grote, Mike Grote, and Walt (Kathy) Grote all of Wall Lake; sisters-in-law: Freda (Russ) Axman of Dedham and Irene (Harold) Fowler of Carroll; many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

Tony was preceded in death by his parents Anton and Loretta Grote; parents-in-law Fred and Anna (Sterner) Kasperbauer; son Clint Grote; and sister-in-law Rita Morris.