Obituary of Dan Grothe

Franz Daniel (Dan) Grothe, Jr., born May 31, 1925 to longtime Mendocino and Lake County ranchers Franz Grothe and Jennie Goodrich Grothe, died at his home in Scotts Valley, California, August 17, 2022. Born at the Bell Springs family ranch, Dan recalled herding cattle down what is now Main Street in Ukiah as a boy. A veteran of World War II and the Korean War, he served in the infantry with the First Battalion, 7th Regiment of the 3rd Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery and steadiness after volunteering to replace and repair communication lines while under enemy fire. He married his high school sweetheart, Adele (Dell) Burris Grothe, on June 13, 1945. When he was sixteen years old, he saw Dell riding a black horse through a vineyard and knew he was going to marry her. Four years later, he did. They had four children, Lewis “Jeep”, Trudi, Jenny, and Art. He never missed a school function, basketball game, a track meet, or a wrestling match. The Army awarded him a Gold Star family designation after his son, Jeep, was killed in action in Vietnam in 1967. He was a beloved grandfather to six grandchildren and a much adored great-grandfather and great-great grandfather. He taught his grandchildren to play cribbage, solitaire, and basketball and his great-grandchildren the joys of Haagen-Dazs and salami. An active community member, he served as a Lakeport School District Board Member, Lake County Fire Commissioner, Mendocino College trustee, and Rotary Club member. He retired as the California State Probate Referee for Lake County. Dan is predeceased by his wife, Dell; son, Jeep; and his parents and sisters. He is survived by daughters, Trudi and Jenny (husband Rick); son, Art (wife Janine); six grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Lakeport Volunteer Firefighter’s Association, 445 N. Main St., Lakeport, Ca. 95453 or the Army Emergency Relief Fund (https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/donate/).