Harlan "Joe" J. Grubb

Harlan “Joe” Grubb, age 103, of Kingsley, IA died Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at Happy Siesta Care Center in Remsen, IA.  Joe was born December 12, 1916 in Kingsley, IA.  Joe, the middle of five children, was the son of John and Violet (Toothman) Grubb.  He was self-employed as a farmer, near Kingsley.

Joe attended Henry Township #9 Country School located on the family farm.   Joe graduated from 12^th grade from Kingsley Public School in 1935.  Before he married Joe worked the wheat harvest from Kansas thru North Dakota.  He also drove to California with friends, worked several different jobs and hopped trains home.

Joe married Dorothy Beelner on June 24, 1941.  They started farming near Oyens, IA and then moved to the family farm north of Kingsley.  In the late 1940’s Joe raced a Midget race car and Big cars (half mile sprint car) in the Midwest.  Joe’s car has been restored, shown in car shows and a few years ago drove for fun at a family gathering.  Joe owned and operated the Kingsley Dairy for several years and delivered to homes and schools in the Kingsley, Pierson and Moville areas.  Joe farmed the home farm, bought the Don Paulin farm, raised dairy cows and calves, hogs and chickens.  Joe was a KP school bus driver for many years and drove the west route.  He also drove the bus a few summers for detasseling corn.  Joe’s friend flew a plane while Joe took pictures for local farmers.

After retiring from farming he started playing golf with his brother-in-law, Don Beelner at the age of 65.  He won the Kingsley Men’s League several times and also had a hole in one on the #9 hole in Kingsley.  He also played golf for 25 years when wintering in Arizona at Shalimar Golf Course in Tempe Arizona and many other golf courses.  While in Arizona he was on a pool league and he and his pool partner were league champs many times.    Also in retirement he started woodworking.  He enjoyed making lawn ornaments, afgan stands and many more projects.

Joe married Vivian Riley in November 1987.  They made their home together in Kingsley, took many trips together, and wintered in Arizona for 25 years.

Left to cherish his memory are his children: Elaine (Cary) Schoep of LeMars, IA; Jack (Diana) Grubb of Kingsley, IA; Ron (Pat) Grubb of Sioux City, IA; John (Shelley) Grubb of Snellville, GA; and Lynne (Jerry) Ruba of Remsen, IA.  Stepchildren:  James (Peggy) Riley of Fort Dodge, IA; Mary (Walt) Hunt of Missouri Valley, IA and Kathy (John) Leach of McCook Lake, SD.  Grandchildren:  Chris (Angie) Beeck, Elizabeth Beeck, Julie (Robert) Arnold, Jeff(Amy) Schoep, Jason (Kate) Grubb, Renee Grubb, Ryan (Stephanie) Grubb, Nicole (Nate) Nearman, Denise (Steve) Griebel, Danielle (Ryan) Panowicz, Tyler Grubb, Tom (Mandy) Holdcroft, Belinda Holdcroft, Michael (Brittney) Ruba, and Jennifer Ruba.   Step grandchildren: Stacy (Bill) Wallace, Kelly (Steve) Eda, Joe Kooker, Mindi (Jeramie) Barrett, Scott (Diana)Hunt, Tony (Dasny) Hunt, Amy (Scott) Cole, and Amanda (Dane) Delany.   22 great grandchildren, 22 step great grandchildren, 4 great, great grandchildren and 8 great, great step grandchildren.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dorothy (9-1980), his second wife Vivian (9-2012), two sisters, Inez Preston and Verna Jaacks, two brothers Russell and Vernon Grubb, one daughter and son-in-law Donna and Ron Beeck, step daughter Shirley Kooker, and step grandson Mark Riley.

Pallbearers will be grandchildren:  Chris Beeck, Jason Grubb, Michael Ruba, Jeff Schoep, Denise Griebel and Jennifer Ruba

Honorary Pallbearers are other grandchildren:  Elizabeth Beeck, Julie Arnold, Ryan and Renee Grubb, Nicole Nearman, Danielle Panowitz, Tyler Grubb, Tom and  Belinda Holdcroft, Stacy Wallace, Kelly Eda, Joe Kooker, Mindi Barrett, Scott and Tony Hunt, Amy Cole, and Amanda Delany