Pastor Louis W. Grother

GROTHER, Pastor Louis W.
Kalamazoo, MI Pastor Louis William Grother passed away peacefully on Saturday evening July 12, 2014 after celebrating a milestone 100th Birthday. He was born in Paducah, Kentucky on July 10, 1914. He was the son of Pastor William Grother and his wife Helene nee Loeber. She was the great granddaughter of Pastor Loeber of Perry County Missouri- one of the founders of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. The family moved to Peoria, IL and after five years to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Pastor William Grother became Pastor of Saint Martini Lutheran Church in Milwaukee succeeding his grandfather, the founder of the church. Louis Grother received his grade school education at the Parish School. Upon completion, he entered Concordia College, Milwaukee, to complete four years of high school and two years of junior college. In 1933, he entered Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated there after four years as a Vicar at Messiah Lutheran Church in Detroit, MI. Upon graduation, he was assigned to First St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Chicago, Illinois, where the Lutheran Church, "Missouri Synod" was organized in 1847. He was called as assistant Pastor in 1938 and ordained by his Father and Grandfather. In 1939, he was joined in marriage with his grade school sweetheart Ruth nee Budde who preceded him in death in 2003. Ruth and Pastor became parents of two children, William and Mary. He completed graduate studies at Northwestern University with a M.Div. degree in Theology and his M.A. degree in education at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI. His ministry in Chicago included pastoral care at Cook County Hospital and Chaplain of Walther Memorial Hospital and Nursing Training School. After receiving his third call to be a pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, he was installed in April 1949. Along with a growing congregation, he was active at Kalamazoo Christian School and High School as chapel speaker. He gave pastoral care to patients at Bronson and Borgess Hospitals and many nursing homes of this city. He served as Chaplain of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety and on the Board of Directors of Kalamazoo nursing homes for twenty years. With Bishops Benison and Donovan, he sponsored joint meetings of clergy for the Roman Catholics, Episcopalians and Lutherans over a number of years. He carried on regular correspondence with former members of the church all over the country. Dr. Paul Maier, who, he ordained, and Pastor Grother celebrated their 50th and 70th anniversaries in 2008 with a service at Zion. In retirement, Pastor Grother served for years as winter Pastor at Concordia Lutheran Church in Sarasota, FL. In April 2011, he was honored with the Irving Gilmore Lifetime Achievement Star Award for public service. He completed 65 years as Chaplain of Kalamazoo State Hospital. Pastor Grother was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ruthie and his two sisters, Dorothy and Margaret. He is survived by his son, William Grother Susan, and daughter, Mary Martel nee Grother, 4 grandchildren: Karole Grano nee Mann David, Louis David Mann Liesl, Jason Martel Nikole, and James Gabriel Martel. 9 great-grandchildren: Kristopher Grano JoJo, Isaak Grano, Elizabeth Martel, Alyn Mann, Bradley Martel, Dylan Jampol, Madison Martel, Chase Mann and Andrew Martel, 1 great- great- grandchild: Owen Grano, several nieces and nephews, and his loving caregiver of many years, Joy Morse. Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 16th at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. from 2pm - 4pm and 6pm - 8pm. Funeral services will be conducted at Zion Lutheran Church, 2122 Bronson Blvd on Thursday, July 17th at 10:00 am with Pastor Tim Seeber and Dr. Paul Maier officiating. He will be buried beside his dear wife, Ruth in Riverside Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be to Zion Lutheran Church Memorial Fund or Kalamazoo Gospel Mission.