----Source: Wednesday, October 15, 2004, Clark County Press

Herbert H. Grottke (1910 - 2003)

Herbert Grottke, age 92, of Merrillan, died Tuesday, Oct. 07, 2003 at the Augusta Area Home in Augusta.

Herbert Henry Grottke was born on Oct. 27, 1910, in Michigan City, North Dakota, the son of Ernest and Anna (Scharf) Grottke. He received his education in the Neillsville Lutheran School, was confirmed on April 13, 1924 and was a member of St. John's Evangelical; Lutheran Church in Neillsville. On May 23, 1942 Herb was united in marriage to Veronica Diehn in East Bloomfield, Wis. Veronica died in an accident on July 17, 1942. On Sept. 16, 1942 Herb enlisted into the United States Army and served in Europe during World War II. When he returned from the service he worked in the Neillsville area, and retired in 1975 from the Clark County Forest and Parks Department.

Herb enjoyed life in the Hatfield area - fishing, hunting, and a iavorite passion, roller-skating. He helped many young people learn to skate. He was preceded in death by his wife, Veronica; sis- ters, Ida Durni and Alma Grottke; and brothers, Walter, William and Edward (twins), Bernard and Arnold.

Funeral Services for Herbert were held Thursday, Oct. 9, at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Neillsville. Pastor Timothy Biebert officiated. Interment was held in the Neillsville City Cemetery, with military rites accorded by the Neillsville Veteran's Council.

Casket Bearers were members of the Neillsville Veteran's Council.

The Gesche Funeral Home assisted Herbert's family with arrangements.