Robert D. Grabau

Robert D. Grabau, 94, a longtime Stewartville,MN resident died on Saturday  (April 26, 2025)  of natural causes at  Mayo Clinic Rochester – St. Marys Campus.

Robert Daniel Grabau was born on September 23, 1930 on the family farm in Forestville Twsp in rural Wykoff,MN to Armie and Margaret(Hornseth) Grabau. He grew up on the family farm, attended country school and graduated from Wykoff H.S. in 1948. Robert was married on June 24, 1951 in Spring Valley to Patricia A. Gilbert. The couple lived in Spring Valley, before moving to rural Wykoff,MN, where they farmed for a few years. Mr. Grabau was employed at IBM in Rochester,MN in 1957. The Grabaus moved to Stewartville in 1962, where they raised their family and have lived for many years. Bob was a longtime IBM employee, retiring in 1990. Mrs. Grabau was a homemaker and also was employed part-time at Boyum Foods in Stewartville and at J.C. Pennys and Daytons in Rochester. The Grabaus moved to Lake Havasu,AZ. in 1990 and spent summer months in Stewartville. They moved back to Stewartville in 2004.  Mrs. Grabau died on June 19, 2015.  Bob was an avid wood worker who created furniture and crafts for family and friends and was known for the many crosses he made and gave away to those he encountered in his life journey. He enjoyed fishing, playing cribbage and had recently began sharing his joy of singing with everyone including a solo at his son’s wedding. He loved time spent with family especially with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.He had many friends and had a generous and loving heart toward those that he knew.

Bob is survived by 3 daughters and 1 son – Al (Diane) Grabau of New Richland,MN; Susan(John) Thompson of rural Stewartville; Karen Grabau(Leo Sanders) of Minneapolis,MN and Kathy(Tim) Herman of Byron,MN; 11 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers – Gary Grabau of Boulder,CO and John(Judy) Grabau of Rochester and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 sister – Dorothy Pesak,  1 brother  – Douglas Grabau and daughter-in-law – Brenda Bleifus Grabau.              

A memorial service for Bob will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday ( May 3, 2025) at Zion Lutheran Church in Stewartville with Rev. Tim Bowman officiating. A  time of visitation for family and friends will be 1 hr. prior to the service at the church on Saturday morning. Burial and a  committal service will follow at Spring Valley Cemetery in Spring Valley,MN.  The Grabau Family suggests memorials to Channel One in Rochester or the Food Pantry Ministry at Zion Lutheran Church in Stewartville. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Bob are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com.

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