Eugene Ronald Grothe

Eugene Ronald Grothe, 86, of Ephrata, Wash., passed away at home surrounded by family Aug. 17, 2024, after a brief battle with cancer. 

He was born in Milbank, S.D., to Walter and Sadie Grothe on March 26, 1938, and raised in Milbank alongside brothers Dale, Del, Marlton, and Alvin and sister Arlys. 

After moving to Ephrata, he met the love of his life, Sharon DeBow. They married in 1965 and would have celebrated their 59th anniversary this fall.  

In 1984, they began building their dream home on Lake Roosevelt, which became their home away from home. 

The early days of his career were spent working as a mechanic, and Service and Parts Manager at Major Motors in Ephrata. In later years he worked as a shop foreman for the Columbia Basin Irrigation District, from which he retired in 1994. 

He is survived by his wife Sharon, daughters Shannon (Brian) Hicks, Cindy McClure, Debbie (Larry) Leeper, son Randy (Anna) Stone, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Country Deli in Ephrata from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024.