Irene C. Grote

Irene C. Grote, 99, of Decatur, Indiana passed away Saturday, August 19, 2023, at Adams Woodcrest in Decatur.

She was born on February 23, 1924, in Allen County, Indiana to the late Roy and Helen (Schroeder) Conrad.

Irene was united in marriage to Ralph R. Grote on March 29, 1943, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Decatur, Indiana, and he preceded her in death on January 17, 2011.

She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Decatur, where she was active in the Ladies Society.  She was also a member of the American Legion Post #43 Auxiliary in Decatur.

Irene was a homemaker who enjoyed raising her family.  They spent many days at their lake cottage on Atwood Lake, where many fond memories were made with family and friends.  After Ralph retired, they traveled together in their motor home across the United States, making more happy memories.

She is survived by a daughter, Sandra K. Bennett of Fort Wayne, Indiana; son, Derryl G. (Linda) Grote of Decatur, Indiana; son, Leon D. “Hap” Grote of Decatur, Indiana; son, Timothy R. (Bert) Grote of Decatur, Indiana; daughter, Cynthia J. (Barry) Bradtmueller of Hoagland, Indiana; brother, Richard Conrad of Decatur, Indiana; 11 grandchildren, Tonda Witte, Taya Billings, Kim Blankenship, Brian Grote, Rebekah Berg, Kelli Ashley, Amanda Jenkins, Adam Grote, Christopher Grote, Jason Bradtmueller and Rachel Bradtmueller; ten great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

Irene was preceded in death by a granddaughter and grandson; three brothers, Carl, Alfred and Raymond Conrad, and one sister, Donna Conrad.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 25, 2023, at Immanuel Lutheran Church – Decatur with Pastor David Koeneman officiating. Burial will follow at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Decatur.

Friends and family will be received from 3-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur and one hour prior to services Friday at the church.

Preferred memorials are to Immanuel Lutheran Church – Renovation Fund, Decatur.

Arrangements are by Zwick and Jahn Funeral Homes of Decatur, Indiana.