Grover W. Massie

Pleasant Prairie – Grover W. Massie, age 92, a kind and generous man, slipped away gently from this life on January 3, 2011, at his home in Pleasant Prairie. Grover was born on his family’s farm in Bristol, Wisconsin, on December 25, 1918 to Grover C. and Luella (nee: Ferguson) Massie. He married Marguerite A. Gavin at St. Mary Catholic Church on July 23, 1949. 

Grover lived at the family farm until he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1946, when he returned to the family farm. He worked as a driver at Yule Truck Lines and Yellow Freight System from 1950 until retiring in 1981. He was a member of Teamsters Locals 95 and 43, having served as a union steward from 1955-1975. Grover was a member of the Pleasant Prairie Volunteer Fire Department from 1957 until he retired as a captain in 1974. Grover and Marguerite were members of St. Mary Catholic Church since 1949. 

Grover will be dearly missed by his family, neighbors and friends. He will always be cherished by his three children: Linda (David) Holzinger, Daniel (Sandra) Massie, and Debra Bauer. He was the best grandpa in the world to James (Alissa) Bauer, Mary Beth Holzinger, and Ashley Bauer, and to his great-grandchildren: Ashlynne, Breanne, and Hunter Bauer.  Grover was a loving brother of Gloria Thillemann, and a favorite uncle to 7 nephews and 10 nieces. He is further survived by three step-grandchildren: Lisa Derr, Scott Schwefel, and  Maria Johnson, and by 9 step-great-grandchildren.  Grover was preceded in death by his dear wife, Marguerite; his parents, Grover and Luella Massie; two brothers, Vernon and Loren (Elizabeth); two sisters, Ethel (Einar) Beyer and Gretchen (Herbert) Naegeli. 

In April of 2007, Modern Woodmen of America Camp 10820 honored Grover for his outstanding service to the community at a Hometown Hero Recognition Breakfast. Grover loved going to Danny’s Café each morning for coffee. His coffee buddies became part of his family, as did his many neighbors and friends. He was always helping people by doing lawn work and snow removal. He took special delight in sharing rhubarb, tomatoes, and zucchini from his garden each summer with family and friends. His step-great-grandson Nick recently wrote to him, “You are a great role model for being a good guy.” Life will never be the same for all who loved our dear Grover. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 10, 2011 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 7400–39^th Ave. in Kenosha. Entombment, with military honors, will follow at All Saints Mausoleum. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Sunday from 2-7 p.m. (Prayer Service at 7 p.m.) and in the church on Monday from 10-11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church, the Pleasant Prairie Fire and Rescue Department, or Hospice Alliance, Inc.