Leroy Hans 'Grump' Gronley, 88

Leroy Hans “Grump” Gronley, 88, passed away peacefully on Monday morning, Nov. 13, 2017.

Leroy was born Dec. 23, 1928, on a farm in Fairdale, North Dakota, to Marie Ann (Vejtasa) and Hans Nicholi Gronley, the fifth born of 10 siblings. The family moved to Kalispell in the fall of 1942.

After graduating from Flathead County High School, he enlisted in the Air Force. When he returned home, he worked as a butcher for Meat Supply, worked construction on the Hungry Horse Dam, and for the following 55 years he owned and operated a building business, eventually retiring at the age of 78.

On Aug. 5, 1951, he married Iris Kay Iverson in Kalispell; to this marriage they had four sons. The family spent weekends at their place on Bootjack Lake hunting, fishing, cutting Christmas trees and mountains of firewood.

Leroy was preceded in death by his wife Iris, son Dallas, his parents, brother Sidney, and sisters Darlene Polejewski, Gwedolyn Clements and Bev Schenck.

Leroy is survived by three sons, Jamie (Lynn), Delray (Patty), and Brad (Tracy); 11 grandchildren, Crystal, Jason, Rachelle, Travis, Ben, Ashley, Jake, Emily, Jeff, Missy and David; 27 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Gerald of Seattle, Winford of Michigan, and Stanley of Kalispell; sisters, Frances Roth of Spokane, and Gloria Sandon of Kalispell; and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his best friend and lap dog, Griz, whom cared for one another over the past six years.

A celebration of his life with military honors will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. A reception will follow at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to any of the local veterans associations.

Friends are encouraged to visit the website, www.buffalohillfh.com, to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.