Donald Grotta

Donald Grotta (97) passed away at home in Clive, IA on April 2 2025.  Memorial Services will be held at 1pm Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at Woodland Hills Funeral Home.  Interment will be at Woodland Hills Memorial Park. 

Don was born and raised on the family farm by Lake Hanska in Minnesota. He was the oldest of 5 children.  After finishing school, he joined the Army and served during WW2 including time in Japan after the war had ended.  After coming home, Don married the love of his life Ardis Benson in 1956, and they moved to Mankato, MN.  He worked for Land O Lakes until retirement and was always busy with real estate interests or fix-it projects.  Don had a lifelong passion for fishing which included several local lakes and annual trips to Lake Winnebigosh. He also enjoyed deer hunting on trips to Wisconsin with his brother.

Don is survived by his daughters, Bonnie (Jim) Brockberg and Linda (Neil) Ankeny;  two grand-daughters, Emily (Chris) Langpaul  and Linnea Ankeny; three great grandchildren. Ella, Lily, Brock Langpaul; siblings James (Joyce) Grotta and Joanne Schwartz and many nieces and nephews. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Minnie Grotta; brother, DuWayne Grotta; and sister, Jeanne Home