HUTCHINSON — Alvin Henry “Al” Grose, 91, passed away April 6, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family at Hospice House in Hutchinson, Kan. He was born on Dec. 31, 1933, in Alexander, Kan., to Henry and Pauline (Schneider) Grose and grew up on the family farm northwest of Bazine, Kan. Al attended Walnut Hill Country School near their farm. When that school closed, he attended Bazine Grade School and then graduated with the class of 1951 from Bazine High School. He attended Marymount College in Salina, where he took several business classes.

On June 14, 1953, he married Delores Bieber. They loved and were devoted to each other for over 71 years.

Al spent time working on the family farm, drove a cement truck, and then worked in sales, where he was approached to work for Southwestern Bell in Hays, Salina, McPherson, and Great Bend, which was the office he retired from. He was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Great Bend, and recently attended services at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. Al was also a member of the Jaycees – where he held many offices, Lions Club, Iris Club, and Wood Carving Club. Al enjoyed fishing, spending many hours checking out farm ponds and lakes. He was so proud of a 6-pound bass he caught, which he had mounted and hung for many years on his office wall. After retirement, Al and Delores would load up their fifth wheel and head to Yuma, Ariz., from January to March, where they enjoyed warm weather. While there, he would do woodcarving and became a very skilled craftsman. Through the years, he made numerous carvings, which are displayed throughout their home. During the summers, he could be found among the over 200 iris plants and other flowers they grew at their former home in Great Bend. 

Survivors include his dedicated wife; daughters, Pamela (Rod) Smith, and Cindy Putters, all of Sterling; son, Bruce (Pattie) Grose of Fayetteville, Ark.; grandchildren, Emma (Travis) Cox of Cheney, Lydia (Brent) Douglas of Hutchinson, Mariah (Brent) Schneider of Sterling, Emmy Jo (Garrett) Perkins of Fayetteville, Ark., Nolan (Ellen) Grose of Portland, Ore., Cortney Putters (Ben Rowe) and Chelcee Putters, all of San Diego, Calif.; 12 great grandchildren; sister, Janice (Jon) Hawkinson of Ness City; brother, Marvin (Judi) Grose of Blairsville, Ga.; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Vaughn and Ruben Grose; and sister, Evelyn Appel.

Visitation will take place from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 10, 2025, with family receiving guests from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 11, 2025, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Great Bend, Ks., with Pastor Kenton Abbott presiding. Interment will follow at Bazine Cemetery, Bazine, Ks. Memorials have been designated to Our Savior Lutheran Church or Lutheran Hour, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Rd.

Great Bend, KS 67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 8, 2025