Stanley Ray Grote, known affectionately by family and friends as Stan, passed away peacefully on Jan. 3, 2026, at the age of 77.

Born on Oct. 5, 1948, in Sabetha, Stan was a man whose gentle nature, wisdom and humor brought light into the lives of all who knew him.

Stan is survived by his beloved wife, Rose, with whom he shared a life full of love and adventure; his sons, Jesse (Karen), Ely (Teri) and Caleb (Stephanie); daughters, Lydia (Josh) Reis and Dora (Quentin) Marquez; and sister, Nancy (Jerry) Cox. His legacy continues through his cherished grandchildren, Gabriel, George, Caroline, Anna, Margaret, Aubrey, Penelope, Henry and Violet; and many nieces and nephews.

Stan was preceded in death by his mother, Lois; his father, Harold; his brothers, Larry, Roger and Paul; and grandparents and relatives.

He grew up in Sabetha where the rowdy Grote boys were always up to shenanigans. He spent many hours at the Grote Motor Company learning the trade of mechanics from his dad. Stan was a proud alumnus of the University of Missouri, where he earned Bachelor’s degrees in forestry and agronomy. There, he met his beloved wife of 54 years. His time with his “Rosebud,” as he lovingly called Rose, was among his most treasured. At Mizzou, Stan and Rose cultivated a tight-knit group of life-long friends.

Stan’s passion for the outdoors led him to a fulfilling career as a registered seed technician, and for 37 years, he ran the seed lab at Garst Seed Company. His daily ritual was perusing the grocery store after work, which he continued into retirement, and eating a Salted Nutroll on his drive home.

An avid outdoorsman, Stan loved hunting and fishing with his friends and family, and took many hunting trips over the years. His love for the outdoors extended to his farm, where he was often found tending to his garden, kitties and dogs. Stan imparted his farming and gardening knowledge to his children, ensuring a legacy of respect for the land. He loved watching football on the daybed with a glass of J&B scotch in hand or spending time with his kids and grandkids. The close-knit Grote family loved gathering at the farm where he was a fixture for 39 years. Whether lighting fireworks or sharing a morning cup of coffee while reading the newspaper, Stan’s presence was a comforting constant.

He was gentle, wise and funny — often leaving notes and lists that would leave the family chuckling. You could always find the pen for his notes in his pocket, along with a buckeye and Chapstick.

His stories, his laughter, and the wisdom he shared will continue to echo through the lives of all who knew him.

“People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. People will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Memorials directed to the family will go to Iowa Natural Resources and State Parks.

The Sabetha Herald 1/14/2026