Meryl Elmer Grosshans, 82, of Minneapolis passed away peacefully Tuesday, August 31, 2021.
Meryl was born May 21, 1939, to Elmer and Clara Grosshans in the family farmhouse near Ruskin, Neb. As a toddler, Meryl’s family moved to Scott City, Kan., where he spent his formative years. He graduated from Scott City High School in 1957 and received a bachelor’s degree in history from Fort Hays State University in 1962.
While at FHSU, he met and fell in love with Patricia Ann “Pat” Scheck, and the two were united in marriage on August 25, 1962. He spent 43 years teaching middle school and high school students in Bunker Hill (1963-65), Garden City (1967-68) and for USD 239 (1965-67, 1968-2008). Meryl taught students, then their children, and then the grandchildren of his first students.
It was during his first teaching job in Bunker Hill that he was asked to teach French because of his three semesters of French in college. He told his class of five girls that he would be learning right along with them and ended up discovering a love of foreign language.
Meryl completed two French immersion programs through the government-based National Defense Education Act (NDEA), first studying at Oakland University in Pontiac, Michigan, in 1968 and in France, in 1969. He earned a Master’s Degree in French from Emporia State University in 1970.
His school days were filled teaching United States history and government, current events, English, French and Spanish. He also served as high school principal for five years before returning to the classroom in order to spend more hands-on time with students. After his “retirement” in 1995, he spent the next 13 years teaching high school French and Spanish on a part-time basis. He also volunteered to teach foreign language to area pre-school children and adults. Monsieur Grosshans, or Señor Grosshans to some, took great pleasure in seeing students light up when an idea “clicked.” He was selected as one of Teen Ink’s Teachers of the Year for 2001-2002 and was inducted into the Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame in 2002.
He was passionate about learning at every opportunity. A favorite family story is when one of his young granddaughters realized she was actually learning when she thought she was simply playing with Grandpa. She threw up her hands and said, “Everything with Grandpa is learn, learn, learn!” He always chuckled when that story was retold.
Meryl enjoyed anything to do with sports, whether it be as a spectator, player or coach. He was a member of an undefeated Scott City High School football team and played semi-pro baseball as a young adult. He also spent many years playing recreational basketball and fast-pitch softball. There were also countless hours of backyard baseball and football games with his children that neighbors would enjoy as they drove by the house. His kids would tease him during road trips when everyone in the car would be forced to listen to whatever sporting event he could find on the radio, whether it was coming in clearly or not! He spent many years as the Director of the Ottawa County Recreation Commission, as well as the Athletic Director for Minneapolis High School. In addition, he devoted countless hours to coaching baseball in the summer. He also volunteered as an assistant baseball coach as MHS launched its baseball program.
Meryl loved history, a good book, playing cards, crossword puzzles and dancing. After the kids were out of the house, he and Pat spent many years country dancing and would arrange their schedule so as not to miss Friday night outings at the dance club. They also participated in a group that would entertain at rest homes and various events in the area. He loved adding a little extra pizzazz to his moves on the dance floor when his family and friends were there to watch!
More than anything, Meryl enjoyed being a father. His two children - Alan and Lora - were blessed to have such a supportive and loving dad. He was always at their concerts, in the stands, asking about their day and picking them up when they needed a lift. His grandchildren always received the same affection.
He was a faithful member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church for more than 55 years, where he served as a lector, usher and then altar server when he was able to attend daily Mass during retirement.
Meryl was preceded in death by his parents and three siblings who died in childhood.
He is survived by Pat, his wife of 59 years; two children; Alan (Tracy) of Aurora, CO, and Lora (Alan) Woolever of Kansas City, MO; four adoring grandchildren, Delanee, Camryn and Kendall Grosshans and Andrew Woolever; sister Iona “Onie” Grosshans of Salt Lake City, UT, and brother James (Karen) Grosshans of Sidney, NE.
Visitation will be Friday, September 3 from 2:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Wilson Family Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, September 4 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and burial will follow in Highland Cemetery. The family is requesting masks to be worn at all events.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Minneapolis Public Library, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church or the Minneapolis Community Foundation. The memorials may be mailed to the Wilson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 166, Minneapolis, KS 67467.