Robert Dean Gritman

Robert Gritman, age 89, of rural Cottonwood, Minnesota, died under the care of hospice and his family on Monday, December 22, 2025, at his home. Mass of Christian Burial is 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 2, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Cottonwood, Minnesota. Following a luncheon, interment will be in the St. Clotilde Catholic Cemetery in Green Valley, Minnesota. Visitation will be held leading up to his celebration of life, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 2, also at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Avera Cancer Center or Avera Home Hospice in Marshall.

Robert Dean Gritman was born on October 3, 1936, in Sibley, Iowa. He was the son of William and Florence (Graves) Gritman. Bob moved around with his family as a child and settled on the family farm near Amiret, Minnesota, in 1949. He attended several schools, including Tracy, before leaving to work on his family's farm. Bob was drafted into the United States Army in 1959 and he served honorably for 18 months in Korea.

On September 29, 1962, Bob was united in marriage to Marjorie Matthys. The couple spent almost 64 years of marriage together and raised eight children. The family moved around southwest Minnesota before buying their current farm place in 1975, where Bob and Marjorie still live today. Bob was proud of his family business and also spent some nights working at Schwan's, loading trucks at the ice cream plant in Marshall. Bob also sold seed corn for a short while prior to his retirement at age 76. He stayed active up to his very last day, exercising and taking care of the farm pets.

Bob's enjoyments in life included collecting his Case IH tractors (which at one point totaled 16), reading anything related to history, watching baseball, and tending to his garden. His large family necessitated that they grow a lot of their own food and his green thumb kept his family fed for many years. He was especially proud of his popcorn, sweet corn, and bountiful asparagus.

Robert Gritman died at his home on December 22, 2025, with family by his side. He reached the age of 89 years, 2 months, and 19 days. Blessed and eternal be his memory.

He is survived by his loving wife, Marjorie Gritman of Cottonwood; 6 children, Vicky Baumann of Minneota, Deborah (and Dan) Sik of Minneota, Robert Jr. (and Joan) Gritman of Rochester, Allen (and Dana) Gritman of Olympia, WA, Lesley Quan of White Bear Lake, Michael (and Jen) Gritman of Sartell; 12 grandchildren, Meagan (and Josh) Yackley, Derek (and Sarah) Sik, Joe Sik, Dustin (and Cindy) Sik, Desiree Skipton, Jake Sik, Noelle Gritman, Alexander Gritman, Meredith Gritman, Sierra Quan, Andrew Gritman, Malachi Gritman; 8 great-grandchildren, Camilla, Lillian, Seth, Roman, Elizabeth, Emily, Sophia, Quinn; sister, Betty (and Frances) Stassen of Marshall; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, William and Florence Gritman; son, Brian Gritman; and daughter, Shelley Gritman.