Kenneth E. Grow
February 13, 1933 - December 03, 2013
Obituary
MONONA-Kenneth E. Grow, age 80, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013, peacefully surrounded by his family. He was born on Feb. 13, 1933, in Morgantown, W.V., the son of Ester Everly and Paul Smith and raised by adoptive parents, Ruth and Robert Grow in West Virginia. Ken served in the U.S. Air Force from 1953 until 1957, in Tucson, AZ., as crew chief with the 64th bomb squadron. He married Nora Foley on Jan. 26, 1957 in Tuscon, Az. He was a Master Sergeant in the Air National Guard 128th Technical Air Command at Truax Field. Ken was also a Zor Shriner. He enjoyed Louis L’Amour books, local sports, travelling, fishing, flying, camping, and playing the harmonica around the campfire with family.
Ken is survived by his wife, Nora; nine children, Dineen Grow, Scott (Terri) Grow, Torri Grow, Kelly Grow, Shay (Dennis) Anderson, Terry (Frank) Racut, Kerry (Mary Ann) Grow, Molly (P.J.) Crossen, Rebecca (Tidiane) Grow; 19 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; brothers, Robert (Verna) Smith and Ronnie Smith; sister, Terry (Roger) Clements; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his birth parents; adoptive parents; grandson, Sawyer Crossen; brothers, Meade Grow and Paul Smith; and sisters-in-law, Liz Smith and Judy Smith.
Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Meriter Hospital ICU and Dr. Carimi for all of their wonderful care and support. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Your sense of humor and your stories will be greatly missed.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608)221-5420
Events
Visitation
Sun Dec 8, 2013 @ 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Photos
No photos of Kenneth have been shared yet.
Memories
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Mary Hoffman
Other •
Such a kind and gentle man! He will be missed.
Mary Frederickson Hoffman
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Dawn Reichhoff
Other •
I never had the honor to meet your father & I know he never seen me ( I had sense to stay out of the rain )! I've heard many stories from you guys talking about when you were growing up. Each one of you had a glow in you eye when you talked about it. Now I know what that glow was.... it was your parents and the love you all have for them. I'm glad he made his trip to Arizona. Thinking of you all in this difficult time. Dawn Klaus Reichhoff
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Julie Tessmer Sell
Other •
I want to say Thank You to the man who was such a wonderful grandfather to my son. You are all blessed to have had him for your husband and father and may the coming days be eased with memories of his love to you all and in time your tears will be smiles as you remember his kindness and storytelling. Godspeed, Ken-
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CARROLL HOARD
Other •
KENNY AND I GO BACK OVER 75 YEARS. WE PLAYED/HUNTED AND ABOUT EVERYTHING 2 BOYS FROM WV COULD AND WOULD DO. WE WRESTLE IN EVERY BACKYARD AROUND AND WE NEVER WERE MAD AT EACH OTHER WE JUST HAD FUN. OUR BIG PROBLEM WAS HE LIVED DOWN IN VAN VOORHIS WHICH WAS A FEW MILES AWAY AND TO FAR TO WALK WHEN U ARE 5 OR 6 YEARS OLD. AS WE GOT OLDER WE WALKED MILES TO BE BE TOGETHER. KENNY WL BE MISSED HE WAS A FRIEND FOR EVER.
CARROLL HOARD
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Julie Hagen
Other •
Grow Family, so many memories growing up! I always looked forward to the times my mom and dad would drive over to "Kenny and Nora's and I would get to hang out with the "Grow Kids" They were always so fun! I remember being in awe that the kids had their own phone line and could write their friends numbers right on the wall!! And the stories Kenny would tell.....so funny. He will be missed every day! My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Julie Hagen (Novara)
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Ryan Hodel
Other •
Hey Grandpa, I hope everything is fine up there, I wish you. I am also happy for you now that Neenie is up there with you. I love you and I miss you.