Dick Thomas Groesbeck

HEYBURN - Dick Thomas Groesbeck, 86, of Heyburn, passed away Sunday, July 5, 2015, at Warren House Assisted Living in Burley.

Dick was born to Guy and Eva Louise Laland Grosbeck in Nampa, Idaho, on March 8, 1929. He graduated from Nampa High School in 1948. That same year, he married the love of his life, Clarice Groesbeck, who he met at a dance hall in Caldwell. They were just a month away from celebrating 65 years of marriage when Clarice passed away in 2013. Dick and Clarice were the parents of two children, Cathy and Jerry.

Dick was a talented carpenter. He worked construction in Boise before the family of four moved to Montana where he built schools and commercial buildings in Boulder, Helena, and Great Falls. Dick's work brought them back to Idaho in 1959, and they settled in the Mini-Cassia area. Dick helped build the Minidoka Memorial Hospital. He met carpenter Joe Gisler, and the two became fast friends. They worked on construction sites in Wells, Nev., and Twin Falls, before eventually becoming business partners. They established G&G Manufacturing Sales and Service in Paul, Idaho, in 1963. Their motto, "Always take care of the customer," served them well, as the camper building company had great success before closing in 1998.

Dick was a longtime member of the Rupert Elks, and in 1971, he served as the Exalted Ruler. The position gave Dick and Clarice the opportunity to travel to conventions across the United States. They were also avid golfers at the Rupert Country Club.

After retiring, Dick stayed active with his family, golfing, skiing at Pomerelle, and playing on the Snake River. He loved to pull his grandkids behind his boat, often gunning it to hear them scream. Dick enjoyed many trips to Montana to hunt and fish with his son. Grandpa Dick was the go-to-guy for many school projects as he was the builder in the family. You could always find him cheering on his grandchildren at their various activities.

Dick loved a good mystery novel and was always up for a game of gin rummy. Even into his 80s, he was still tough to beat. His morning ritual was to drop Clarice at her favorite coffee shop and then head to Doc's Pizza to enjoy a morning brew with his buddies. They played a game to decide who would pay for coffee and friends remember, Dick bought his fair share. He never left home without his faithful companion; his pug, Winston, was at his side until the end.

Dick was preceded in death by two brothers, Eugene and Freddie; his parents, Guy and Eva; grandson, Matthew Kraus; in-laws, Otto and Lillian Deide; and his wife, Clarice.

Dick leaves behind his children, Cathy and Jerald Kraus, and Jerry and Terry Grosbeck; his grandchildren, Lynn and Dan Boberg, Lisa Kraus, Tina Kraus, and Nicholas and Shanna Kraus; six great-grandchildren, Natalie, Julia and Kira Boberg, Jillian Kraus, and Karter and Kate Kraus; and his pug, Winston.

We will miss you Dad, Grandpa Dick. As you always told us, “Love you More!!!”

The family would like to thank Comfort Keepers, Warren House and Intermountain Homecare for the loving care given to our treasured Dad and Grandpa.

Dick's funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 11, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley. Visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at the Paul Cemetery.

Condolences to the family may be mailed to Rasmussen Funeral Home, P.O. Box 878, Burley, ID 83318.