Harold E. Grebe, 65, of Humboldt, passed away October 13, 2012 at his home. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at Zion Lutheran Church in Humboldt. Interment will be in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Humboldt. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Zion Lutheran Church in Humboldt. The Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home of Humboldt is in charge of arrangements.
Harold Edward Grebe, the son of Clarence and F. Lucille (Koehler) Grebe, was born December 30, 1946 at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He attended school at Jackson, Missouri and graduated from Jackson High School in 1964. Harold then attended Southeast Missouri State University where he earned a degree in Ag Business. On June 25, 1965, he met Mary Wills and one year later on June 25, 1966, the couple was united in marriage.
Following their completion of school, Harold and Mary moved to Dowell, Illinois and Harold went to work for DuQuoin Packing Plant in DuQuoin, Illinois. The couple then moved to Jacob, Illinois where Harold worked in the fertilizer business with W.R. Grace Co., which led to a sales position with Monsanto in Humboldt and Kossuth Counties in Iowa. In 1969, the family moved to Humboldt and in 1975 he began his work with Van Deist Supply and transferred to Palmyra, Missouri. In 1980, Harold entered into a partnership purchasing a fertilizer and retail tire business in Carlinville, Illinois establishing Area Ag Center. After building the business up, he and Mary sold it and continued his work with Van Deist returning to Humboldt in 1984. In 1991, while still working for Van Deist, Harold became a representative with Aid Association For Lutherans in Humboldt County.
In 2001, Harold began his retirement due to health concerns. In 2004, Harold received Thrivent’s Hometown Hero Award for his dedication to the community.
Family was a source of great pride, and Harold thoroughly enjoyed the time spent with his four grandchildren. Despite health challenges over the last 17 years, Harold faithfully served his church and community. He was an active member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Humboldt as an Elder, the church council, and treasurer. He was a member of the Humboldt Rotary Club where he served as past president, secretary, and treasurer. He was a past member of Jaycees, Lions, and Kiwanis Clubs. He enjoyed playing cards with his card group and used the proceeds of the club to help fund Honor Flights for veterans and he was a diehard St. Louis Cardinals fan. Harold and Mary enjoyed traveling, always making a point to stop to see family and friends along the way.
Harold is survived by his wife Mary A. Grebe of Humboldt; daughters, Carla S. (Joseph) Fedeler of Lynchburg, VA and Lynn A. (Doug) Dodgen of Story City, IA; grandchildren, Samuel Fedeler, Catherine Fedeler, Spencer Dodgen and Carson Dodgen; brothers, Joe (Darlene) Grebe and Paul (Pat) Grebe; and his sister, Kathleen (Kenny) Probst. Harold is also survived by mother-in-law, Neltha Wills of Perryville, MO; sister-in-law, Lynn (Mike) Ramsey of Jacksonville, FL; brothers-in-law, Russ (Sandy) Wills of Cape Girardeau, MO and Larry (Nola) Wills of Houston, TX; and many nieces and nephews. His parents preceded him in death.
Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church or Autism Speaks.