Louis Alben Grohsman

Louis Alben Grohsman, 94, of Hermantown passed away on July 18, 2022 at his daughters home in Hermantown with his loved ones by his side.  Louis was born March 18, 1928 in a sod hut in Coal Springs, South Dakota to Louie and Bessie Grohsman, his father, Louie, had to travel several miles to bring back a mid-wife to assist with his birth.  He started his working life at the age of 13 managing sheep on horseback in the cold winter prairie winds while living in a tiny sheep wagon in northwestern South Dakota.

Louis served his country by joining the Army and participating in World War II. After returning home from his tour of duty in the Army he found no reasonable jobs or work possibilities, so he signed up to serve again, this time in the Navy.  During his time in the Navy, he traveled to Korea to help to support the U S troops during the Korean conflict.

Louis’ post military employment was widespread, over the road truck driver, DM&IR Railroad, construction, licensed Boiler technician for Oneida Realty, building engineer at Northshore Bank of Commerce. After retirement Louis spent 15 years as a spring planting/fall harvesting farm support team member in rural Northeastern South Dakota for E Weerts Inc. in Bancroft, South Dakota.

Louis was Past Master of Ionic Lodge Order of Masons #186 and was also a 32^nd Degree Mason and a member of the Scottish Rite as well as a member of AAD Temple ARAB Patrol. He received special recognition from Ionic Lodge in 2019 for celebrating 50 years as an active member.  He also served as past Patron of the Zenith Chapter Order of Eastern Star.

Louis enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting, working in the yard, camping, boating, and traveling.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, June; his son, Alan; his daughter in law, Theresa; and granddaughter, June Mary; brothers, John (Jack) O’Keefe of Yamhill, Oregon, and Edward (Flip) O’Keefe of Santa Rosa, California; and five nephews and one niece.

He is survived by daughters, Kris (Alan) Dirksen of Hermantown, MN, and Terri Siiter of Proctor, MN; granddaughters, Heather Dirksen, of Scottsdale, AZ, and Crystal (Christopher) Brown; great grandchildren, Aaron and Abigail Brown; siblings, Betty Haberger, Hemet, CA, Grace Searles, Hermiston, OR, Clara Ketchum, Cloquet, MN, Mary Laurila, Billings, MT, Ida Jaglo, St Paul, MN, and Patrick Grohsman of Duluth, MN; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. Second Street, Duluth, with a Visitation beginning at 10am. Interment at Park Hill Cemetery on Friday, July 29, 2022 at 2pm. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home.