Dick Grewe

Longtime Wadena resident Dick Grewe passed away, unexpectedly, on October 25, 2010, at the age of 79, at the Frazee Care Center in Frazee, MN. Richard Dale Grewe was born on June 2, 1931, to Gerhard and Louise (Attleson) Grewe in their farm home near Verndale, where he was raised. He graduated with the Verndale High School Class of 1949. He continued his education gaining a B.A. in Business Administration in 1957, from St. Cloud State University. Dick served honorably in the United States Army from 1952 to 1954, where he received the National Defense Service Medal and Army Occupational Medal. Dick and Arlene Ann Utermarck were united in marriage on February 26, 1955, in the Evangelical and Reform Church in Wadena. They made their home in Wadena where Dick will be remembered as the voice on KWAD/KKWS for over 12 years, serving as Vice President, manager, and sports broadcaster. From there he went into insurance sales management. Dick used his energies in serving the area communities as the Crow Wing Trails Association Past President, a Jaycee International Senator, a Wadena Lions Past President, a life member of the Elmer Goche VFW Post 3922, a charter member of the Wadena Elks Club, a member of the Wadena and Verndale Historical Societies, as a deacon on the Stewardship Committee at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, and as a 34 year member of the American Legion Club #0171, along with being active in the Hi-10 Baseball League for many years. Dick was honored as the Wadena Jaycee Outstanding Man of the Year, and was inducted into the MN Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984. In his spare time he enjoyed baseball, softball, hunting, fishing, camping, golfing, cooking, gardening, and spending time with his family. Dick was preceded in death by his parents Gerhard and Louise. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Arlene; sons Rick (Lynn) of Hackensack and Ron of Perham; daughter Pam Sandberg of Menahga; grandchildren Christina, Ashley (Adam), Tara, Heather (Lowell), and Liam; great grandchild Jaden; brother Ron Rudolph Grewe of Seattle, WA; sister Janice (Jim) Neuschwander of Dayton; aunts Noreen Reece of Wadena and Betty (Grewe) Martinsen of Baxter; uncle Helmar Grewe of Deer Creek; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Memorial services were held at 2:00 p.m. on November 3, 2010, in the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Wadena, with Pastor Bob Griggs officiating. Honorary pallbearers were all the members of Dick’s beautiful family. Military honors were provided by the Elmer Goche Post 3922, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Wadena, MN. Interment will be in the Wadena Cemetery.

Dick Grewe

June 2, 1931 - October 25, 2010