Emil Gordon Grulke of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Kelley, Iowa, passed away August 16, 2023.
Survivors include son, David Grulke (Linda) of West Allis, Wisconsin; daughter, Dawn Grulke
Hysler of Cedar Rapids; daughter-in-law, Lisa Forschler of Oskaloosa; sister, Kathy of Indiana;
and brother, Stuart of New York. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren, Beth Trippie
(Don), Joy Mick (Neil), Laurel Grulke, Heather Wild (Seth), Carl Grulke (Kelsey), Lisette Metz
Grulke, Jeremy Gruettner, Matthew Grulke, Lane Johnson (Mike), Caleb Grulke (Kelsey), and
Luther Grulke (Lauren) and seventeen great grandchildren.

Emil was born November 30, 1927, to Emil and Charlotte Grulke in Waukesha County,
Wisconsin. He graduated from Watertown (WI) High School in 1946 and graduated from Drake
University. He married Betty Severtson on July 1, 1950. They had four children. He lived most of his life on the farm near Kelley. He worked at Firestone in Des Moines while farming, then in the late 1960's, started working for the State of Iowa in the Motor Fuel Tax Division, until his
retirement.

He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Kelley, where he served on the church board
and as its treasurer. He was also a member of Kiwanis in Polk City and enjoyed fishing,
particularly in Lake Michigan for salmon. But his main hobby was vegetable and fruit gardening,
where he not only produced all his family could eat, but much, much more that he shared with
extended family and friends.

In 2013, he and his wife Betty moved to Cedar Rapids as his health declined to be near Dawn.
He was preceded in death by his wife Betty in April 2023, his parents, three brothers and four
sisters, and 2 children, Darlyn Grulke Sparr, and Dennis Grulke.

Celebration of Life Service: 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at St Paul's Lutheran Church, Marion, Iowa. Burial: 2 p.m. on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at Slater Cemetery, Slater, Iowa. Arrangements are with Papich-Kuba Funeral Service, Cedar Rapids.

Memorials may be made to Camp Courageous in Monticello, Iowa, or charity of choice.