Richard Grubaugh

November 18, 1917 - January 19, 2008

Richard H. Grubaugh, 90, of David City, died Saturday, January 19, 2008 at St. Joseph's Villa in David City. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00am Friday, January 25 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, David City. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Viewing will be Thursday, 2-5pm at Chermok Funeral Home and after 6pm at the church followed by a 7PM rosary. Refreshements will be served in St. Mary's Hall immediately following the rosary. He was born on November 18, 1917 to Roy and Anna (Havel) Grubaugh in Linwood, NE. He died on January 19, 2008 at St. Joseph's Villa in David City, NE Dick graduated from Rising City High School in 1936. And attended the University of Nebraska - Lincoln While in Lincoln he met Carol Rolofson and they married on August 20, 1940. They managed various cafes in Lincoln until moving back to David City to run a local cafe in 1944. In 1946 he graduated from Reisch America School of Auctioneering in Mason City, IA. Dick and his brother Marv then began Grubaugh Brothers Auctioneers. For a number a years Dick and Marv operated the Nebraska Livestock Commission sale barn in Lincoln as a part of their auctioneering service. Dick was a past member, past president and board member of the Nebraska Auctioneers Association. Dick helped jumpstart the auction careers of over a dozen auctioneers including several in Butler County. One being his grandson Dennis Romshek who became a partner in Grubaugh Brothers in 1983 until Dennis' death in 2001. For a number of years Dick was a member of the board of directors of the Butler COunty Ag Society which operates the BUtler County Fair. Dick served several years as president. Dick initiated the 4-H and FFA livestock subsidy sale at the fair. Dick was active in the Chamber and received the DC area Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service award for more than 55 years of Service to Butler County and the David City community in 2000. Dick was a member of St. Mary's parish in David City, NE. Dick loved spending time with his family, especially the love of his life, Carol. He also enjoyed gardening, watching rodeos and keeping up with the stock market. He is survived by one daughter Algene "Genie" (Larry) Briese of Omaha. 14 Grandchildren: Makayla (Orville) Seager Coeur d'Alene, ID, Nick Svoboda, Friend, NE, Patrick (Kathy) Svoboda, Bucyrus, KS, Rhonda (Pete) Cook, Colorado Springs, CO, Vanessa (Glenn) Bauer Omaha, NE, Frank (CIndy) Svoboda Manfield MA, Genie (Bruce) Andrews, Adams, NE, MIke (Yadira) Svoboda Sutton, NE, Melissa (Mike) Tadora, Dallas TX, Marty Svoboda Manhattan Beach, CA, Dick (Ann) Romshek Granby CO, Patti ROmshek David City, Carolyn (Brad) Stephens Geneva, NE, Carmen (Kurt) JOhnson Seward, NE, Cathy (Eric) Matulka Lincoln, NE; 30 Great Grandchildren and 6 Great-Great Grandchildren. Also, survived by sister-in-Law Elsie Grubaugh of David CIty and many other nieces, nephew, cousins and close friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Carol (Rolofson) Grubaugh in Dec. of 2003; daughter and son-in-law Dorothy and George Romshek, Jr.; Grandsons Dennis Romshek and Kevin Svoboda; Great Grandson Blake Svoboda; and Great-Great Grandson Max Seager. Brother Marv Grubaugh; Brother and sister in law Al and Bess Grubaugh and sister and brother in law Marie and Florence "Oz" Georlinger. Memorials: The family has asked that in lieu of flowers or plants memorials be given In Care of the Family.