Thomas F. Grellner

Thomas F. Grellner, age 91, of Rich Fountain, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 7, 2023, at Jefferson City Manor. 

Tom was born on February 28, 1932, in Rich Fountain, a son to the late Henry Joseph and Anna Marie (Bauer) Grellner.

Tom graduated from Rich Fountain school and then attended The Auto Trade School in Kansas City. 

Tom honorably served in the United States Army during the Korean War.  He served with great pride.  He was a member of Linn V.F.W. Post #4756.

On May 4^th, 1957, he was united in marriage to Elsie Bock at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rich Fountain.  Elsie survives. 

After Tom’s discharge from the Army, he started his farming career on a small farm in Rich Fountain.  An opportunity came to buy a bigger farm in Frankenstein, where he raised hogs and cattle.  His love for farm life showed in all he did.  In earlier years, he worked for James Kever Construction, where he built many houses in Osage County and the surrounding area.  Tom was a fixer upper; he could fix almost anything that was broken.  His love for woodworking continued and each of the kids, grandkids and some of the great grandchildren had something that he made.  If there was a scrap of wood, he would make it into something.  After he retired from farming, Tom and Elsie moved back to Rich Fountain. 

Tom loved making grape wine, which everybody enjoyed just as much as he enjoyed making it.  He also liked to fish, sitting on the banks every Sunday for hours, always coming home with some fish.  He also loved hunting, especially coon hunting. If you wanted to visit with Tom, you needed to let him know early, or he was gone.  He would get the dogs and one of the kids and away they would go. 

In addition to his wife of 66 years, Tom is survived by his children, Gene (Janis) Grellner of Linn, Judy (Kevin) Hicks of Linn, Mary Kever (Mark Meyer) of Linn, John (Jill) Grellner of Wardsville, Diane (Charles) Haslag of Loose Creek, Rhonda (Randy) Briot of Russellville, Wayne (Jenn) Grellner of North Carolina and Alan (Carrie) Grellner of Linn;  22 grandchildren, Garrett (Cassidy) Grellner, Mikayla (Luke) Pecher, Lindsay Grellner, Andy (Kristan) Dudenhoeffer, Abby (Clayton) Niemann, Chad (Sam Neal) Kever, Morgan (Stephanie) Williams, Zach (Ashton) Kever, Taylor (Kyle) Schenewerk, Amberlyn (Ryan) Ferrell, Chantz (Scott Fisher) Grellner, Seth Grellner, Owen Grellner, Jacob Haslag, Clayton Haslag, Allison Haslag, Brittany (Nate) Gibson, Megan (Garrett) Morgan, Lizzie Grellner, and Ellie Grellner, Ryan (Fiancée Hali Buckley), and Josh Grellner; 13 great grandchildren, Jane, Claire, Theo, Eve, Wyatt, Nora, Georgia, Bennett, Davi Jo, Hallie, Kolton, Remington, Charlie with two more on the way; one brother, Ed Grellner of Freeburg; five sisters, Helen Rudroff, and Christine Fick both of Rich Fountain, Betty Stegeman of Meta, Joanie (Celsus) Stegeman of Folk, and Cathy (Harry) Bernskoetter of Taos; a sister-in-law, Catherine (Paul) Knoch of Gulf Shores, AL.; along with many nieces, and nephews. 

In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by three brothers, Paul, Joe and Bill Grellner, two sisters, Margaret Grellner and Ann Wibberg; five brothers-in-law, Ben Fick, Leroy Stegeman, Bert Rudroff, Gus Wieberg and Ted Weider; and two sisters-in-law, Mabel Grellner and Evelyn Weider.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 14, 2023, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rich Fountain with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. William Debo as the Celebrant.  Interment with Full Military Honors will be held in Sacred Heart Parish Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to Sacred Heart Endowment Fund or American Parkinson Disease Association. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Morton Chapel, Linn, Missouri (897-2214) www.mortonchapel.com