Catherine Mae Grote

Catherine Mae (York) Grote age 69, of rural Bowling Green, passed away Thursday, September 04, 2014 at Hannibal Regional Hospital with her family at her side. Funeral services will be held at 10am Tuesday, September 9 at St. Clement Catholic Church with Fr. Bill Peckman officiating. Visitations will be from 4-8pm on Monday, September 8 at Mudd-Veach Funeral Home in Bowling Green. Cathy was born February 7, 1945 on “the Hill” in St. Louis, the eldest daughter of Richard Alvin and Phyllis (Comia) York. She and her family moved to rural Eolia when she was eleven years old. She attended and graduated from the Clopton School district, and remained a loyal Hawks fan until her passing. On April 8, 1965, she married Larry Albert Grote at the Catholic church in Elsberry. They made their home in Ashley where they raised their family of four daughters. Survivors include her husband, Larry, her mother-in-law Bernice Grote, and four daughters, their spouses and children. Felicia and Tim Gamm, Hannah, Jessica, Breanne, and Chloe Kroencke, Noah and Avery Gamm; Tina and Roy Niemeyer, Loren, Kimberly, and Megan; Melinda and Jason Kneib, Bryleigh; Angela and Ben Eckler, Carissa and Delci. She is also survived by her siblings and their spouses, Ray and Rose (Sam) York; Michael (Mick) York; Rose White; Joe and Sherry York; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Cathy was a homemaker until obtaining her LPN license from Pike-Lincoln Technical Center, at which time she went to work, briefly, at Pike County Memorial Hospital. She realized her real passion was working with special needs children and thus began her career as an aide and bus driver at Lillian Schaper State School in Bowling Green. She continued to dedicate her life to the care and education of these children until her retirement in 2008. Before her illness, she and her husband had opened a small convenience store and café in Ashley. She loved reminiscing and visiting with her customers and dear friends and also prided herself in serving “hand-pattied, tasty” burgers. The store kept her busy, but she loved every minute of it. Her hobbies included quilting with the St. Clement Quilters, crocheting, embroidering baby blankets, and watching Cardinals baseball. She prided herself in being more than a “fair weather fan.” Above all, she enjoyed seeing and “stealing kisses” from her grandchildren and spending time with her family at special occasions and holidays. Cathy was a kind-hearted woman who fought a valiant battle with a terribly aggressive illness and will be missed by many. She was preceded in death by her parents, her nephew Bobby York, and her son-in-law Jon Kroencke. Pallbearers will be her sons-in-law, Roy Niemeyer, Ben Eckler, Jason Kneib, and Tim Gamm, and dear friends Bill Sachs, and David Pine. Honorary pallbearers include Simon Orf, John Koester, Brad Cox & Bill Prior. Memorials may be made to the St. Clement Catholic Church and cemetery or the James E. Cary Cancer Center.

Catherine Mae Grote

September 4, 2014