Edward O. Grosshuesch

Edward O. Grosshuesch, 87, of Bella Vista, Ark., died peacefully on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at Circle of Life in Bentonville, Ark. Ed was born in Klemme, Iowa on January 16, 1930, to Rev. Calvin and Alice (Kuhlman) Grosshuesch. He met Ruth Jaberg at Lakeland College (University) and they were married August 25, 1954, in Sheboygan, Wis. Ed is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ruth of Bella Vista, and three children: Jon (Beth) Grosshuesch of Oostburg, Wis.; Jay (Jill) Grosshuesch of Plymouth, Wis., and JoEllyn (David) Slott of Germantown, Tenn. Also surviving are seven grandchildren: David Grosshuesch, Kimberly Allard, Paul Grosshuesch, Matthew Slott, Craig Grosshuesch, Alison Slott, and Kelly Grosshuesch. Other survivors are three great-grandchildren; a brother, Ruben of Sheboygan, Wis.; and a sister, Gertrude of Bentonville, Ark. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Calvin and Ewald Grosshuesch. Ed's formative years were spent in Klemme, Iowa, where his father was an Evangelical and Reformed pastor. He graduated from Klemme High School in 1948. He continued his education at Lakeland College in Sheboygan, Wis., and graduated with a BA 1952. He was a proud member of Lakeland College's only undefeated football team in 1950 as well as on the conference championship basketball team in 1951. He attained his MS degree from University of Wisconsin in 1958. Ed served in the US Army from 1952-1954 attaining the rank of Sergeant while serving stateside during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge from the Army, Ed began his career in public education as a secondary social studies teacher and coach serving the Random Lake, Wisconsin Dells, and Racine, Wis. school districts. In 1967, he began 25 years of dedicated service to the Oostburg School District, beginning as high school principal, retiring as district administrator in 1992, and honored with naming of the football field, "Grosshuesch Field." Ed was a member and officer in the American Legion and Kiwanis and served on the Oostburg Library Board. He began and ran a community supported basketball and football youth program through the Sheboygan YMCA. In addition he was a dedicated member of First Presbyterian Church of Oostburg as an elder and Christian education teacher. Following his retirement, Ruth and Ed moved to Bella Vista, Ark., where they have lived for the past 25 years. While in Bella Vista, Ed continued his life of activity and service. He played in two golf leagues, the Thumpers and Missing Links. He volunteered at the Bella Vista Recycling program, and led the local AARP organization. Ed was an active member of the Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista as a deacon, elder and choir member. Ed and Ruth's home for the past 10 years was the Plaza at Highlands Crossing, leading many social activities and serving as president for several years. A memorial service for Ed will be held at 2 p.m., on Saturday, April 8, at the Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Lakeland University (College), Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista, or the Ed and Ruth Grosshuesch Scholarship Fund that has been established for a graduating senior at Oostburg High School. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.