Born: December 15, 1951 - Deceased: January 10, 2023
Kurt R. Grosse, 71, of Waterloo, IL, born Saturday, December 15, 1951, in Red Bud, IL, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at SSM St. Clair Hospital in Fenton, MO.
He was preceded in death by his:
- Parents: William and, Ardelle, nee Ritzel, Grosse, Jr.
- Brother: William Grosse, III
- Sister-in-law: Mary Beth Grosse
- Nephew: William Michael Grosse
Surviving are his:
- Son: Kyle Grosse of Waterloo, IL
- Sister: Nyla (James) Hensley of Saugatuck, MI
- Nieces and nephews
- James (Mary) Hensley, Jr.
- Kathryn Michaelis
- Michelle (Ken) Stark
- William Charles (Sarah) Grosse
- Bryan (Dana) Snyder
- Melissa Bredbenner
Kurt grew up in Waterloo, IL and worked in the family business, Grosse Lumber. He spent his entire career in the construction industry, helping contractors in the Metro-East with their construction needs. Kurt retired as sales manager from Beacon Building Supply.
He was Past Master of Morris Lodge #787 A.F. & A.M. in Waterloo, IL, Unity Chapter #182 RAM, St. Clair Council #61 CM and Tancrad Commandry #2 KT, Scottish Rite Bodies and became Sovereign Prince of Cahokia Council and Princes of Jerusalem in 1990. He received his Honorary Thirty-third Degree in 1993 in Boston, MA. Served as Commander-in-Chief of the Mississippi Valley Consistory in 2001-2003, appointed Deputy Representative of the Valley of Southern Illinois to the Illinois Council of Deliberation. He was a recipient of the Sovereign Grand Commanders Distinguished Service medal in 2015.
Kurt joined Ainad Shrine in 1974 and became a member of the Drum and Bugle Corps and in 1985, he became Imperial Drum Corps President in Atlanta, GA. Kurt was appointed Outer Guard of the Ainad Shrine in 1986, serving as Potentate in 1996, most recently served as Recorder of Ainad Temple, appointed to the Board of Governor’s at Shriner’s Children’s and a member of Southern Illinois Court #86 ROJ.
He received his Chevalier and Legion of Honor awards through E.A. Weinel Chapter, Order of DeMolay. Kurt is a Past Dean of the Egyptian Preceptor Legion of Honor and Past Watchman of the Shepherds of the Gabriel Shrine in Granite City, IL. He also was a Shrine Representative to the Illinois DeMolay representing Ainad Shrine. He was a member of the Black Knights, and Chicago Cavilers Drum and Bugle Corps and the Riverside Bugle Band.
Kurt was a member of the Waterloo Zoning Board in 1986-1988, Waterloo Volunteer Fire Department from 1976 – 1986, Illinois Lumber Dealers Association, Young Lumber Dealers, Waterloo Jaycees, Boy Scouts of America Advisory Board, Waterloo Country Club, Waterloo Chamber of Commerce and graduated from Eden Theological University with a degree in License Ministry.
Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Shriners Children’s.
Visitation: Visitation from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Saturday, January 21, 2023 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, Illinois. There will be a Jester walk through at 3:43 pm followed by the 33rd Degrees followed by the Ainad Drum Corp.
Services: Masonic Service will be held at 4:00 pm, Saturday, January 21, 2023 at Kurrus Funeral Home with short eulogy following.
12 Comments
May you “Rest in Peace” Kurt….
A Grest Friend and Classmate. May you “Rest in Peace”, Kurt. Duke Hinrichs
Will miss my Uncle Kurt-he was truly one of those “fun uncles”. With our distance in where we lived only got to catch up in person mostly annually usually when visiting Ardelle, and a few times after her passing. But we kept up all the time online, and I’ll miss our funny and very unpolitically correct banter.
Thank you for all you did for Masons, Scottish Rite, Shriners, and all the other groups you were active in. You were always entertaining to be around a the Shrine events. RIP Illustrious Sir. Thank you!
Condolences from the Belleville Black Knights Drum & Bugle Corps Alumni
My heart is sad to learn of your passing yet it is smiling as memories flood it and bring a smile. Granted they are mostly from 50+ years ago but nonetheless still there: the baby blue Thunderbird, pizza at Breezy Hill after basketball games, trips with your parents and in recent years visits with your mom who, with such pride, kept me up to date on your Shrine activities. May you rest peacefully in God’s arms.
I will never forget the many rides you gave me at 14 years old to and from Black Knight practice. I think of you often when I’m driving 158 where you would cut the headlights and drive by the light of the moon. I will cherish my many memories with you Kurt. RIP.
A finer man was never born
We’re mourning the passing of a great man and good friend of the Bahia Shrine Drum & Bugle Corps in Central Florida. Kurt epitomized Shrinedom with 37 years of devotion and service and brought music to the community during his 27 years as a member of Ainad Drum and Bugle Corps. He’ll be missed, by the children he served, and the brothers who loved him.
Deepest Sympathy
Rip Kurt
Prayers lifted for family in the name of Jesus Amen
Kurt will be missed for his talent as a musician, his leadership in the Shrine organization, his business intelligence and his genuine concern for his many friends and the Shriners children.
He has moved on to a better place, but will never be forgotten in our hearts.