Paul Grodt

Paul Oriel Grodt, 88, passed away March 14, 2015, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston, Iowa. Paul was a lover of life and people, a stranger to no one with a kind and generous spirit.

He was born on June 15, 1926, in Walnut, Iowa, to John and Grace (Reed) Grodt, and was the fourth of six children. His family moved to Polk City where he attended high school. He served in the Navy in World War II, and afterwards graduated from Drake University, with a degree in Commerce. He also graduated from Drake Law School, and passed the Iowa State Bar in 1950.

He married Catherine Ann Powers in 1948 (deceased 1990). They had two children, John Douglas and Mary Adrienne. They lived in West Des Moines, where Paul worked in real estate and insurance. As founder and owner of Grodt and McKay Realty and Grodt Moore Insurance, he was well known in the Greater Des Moines business community. He was past president of the Greater Des Moines Board of Realtors. He was instrumental in the founding of the Oakridge Neighborhood in 1969 and served on its initial Board of Directors.

Paul was an active member of Jaycees, founding the chapter in West Des Moines. He was a longtime member of the West Des Moines United Methodist Church, serving as a trustee for twenty years. On behalf of the church, he acquired much of the property on the site which the West Des Moines United Methodist Church now stands. He was active as Treasurer of the Polk City Historical Association's and was a long-standing member of the West Moines Rotary Club. In recent years he became a member of the Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines.

Paul is survived by his wife of 22 years Janette Grodt of Urbandale, IA; his son, John Douglas Grodt (Tina) of Grand Junction, CO, and his daughter, Mary Radia (Suku) of West Des Moines; step children, Kim (Jim) Fenimore of Des Moines, Kurt (Lisa) Moody of Des Moines, Lynne (George) Graham of Knoxville, TN; grandchildren, Carolyn Lunking (David), Paul D. Grodt, Ryan, Renee, and Natalie Radia, Justin and Tessa Fenimore, Jake and Anna Moody, Paige, Cole and Jack Graham; and one great-grandchild, Simon Lunking. He is also survived by two brothers, Edward Grodt (Ruth) of Clive, and Gaylon Grodt of Tucson, AZ, sister-in-law, Marge Grodt, and special niece, Karla Fisher of Des Moines. His brothers, Rodman Grodt and George Grodt, and sister, Elsa Grodt Mingus, preceded him in death.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 3:00pm at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA. Family will greet friends during a visitation following the service. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for causes close to Paul’s heart: which include foundations to prevent and treat Scleroderma, Epilepsy, Autism and Narcolepsy.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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