Richard Warren Grobel was born on April 6, 1915, near Haydenville, Lac Qui Parle County, MN, to Arne and Mary (Hanson) Grobel, the youngest of six children. Richard was baptized at Solar Lutheran Church near Haydenville by Pastor Boe and was confirmed about 1931 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boyd by Pastor Martin Lien. He attended rural schools in Lac Qui Parle County and completed the required eight grades. When he finished school, he farmed with his father and hired out to other farmers in the area.
On November 14, 1942, he entered the Army and served his country during Word War II. On June 6, 1944, his unit landed on Omaha Beach and he took part in the Normandy Invasion. His 6th Combat Engineers Brigade served under General Dwight D. Eisenhower, General Omar Bradley, and General Simpson and participated in four battles: Normandy, Central Europe, Northern Europe, and Rhineland. He learned that the war was over from local German residents who had heard it on German radio. He was honorably discharged on December 10, 1945.
He returned to Madison and started to farm in Madison Twp. and later purchased a farm in Hamlin Twp. He farmed together with his nephew, Curtis Connor, until his death in 1980, and then with his great-nephew, James Connor, until his retirement. In 1992, he moved into Parkview Apartments in Dawson and lived there until his death on Wednesday, April 14, 1999, at the age of 84.
Richard is survived by his sister, Grace Connor of Dawson; Bruce (Helen) Leasman, a cousin, raised by the Grobel family and grew up as his brother; nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces, great-great-nephews, other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters: Dagmar Grobel, Evelyn Grobel, Myrtle (Maurice) O'Connell, and Bessie (Elmer) Feist; two nieces: Betty (Verdie) Heieren and Joan O'Connell; one nephew, Curtis Connor; one nephew-in-law,Russell Larson; and three great-nieces: Vickie Swenson, Baby Girl Thon, and Yvette Lindquist; and one great-nephew, Jerry Swenson.
Dick was quiet and shy, honest, tough-minded, and a hard- working man. He loved to read, especially World War II history, enjoyed politics, and was knowledgeable on many subjects. He enjoyed yardwork, gardening, hunting and trapping, and attending gun and antique shows.