TORRINGTON – Mass of the Resurrection for Jeannette Eva Grandstaff, 93, will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 29, 2021 at Saint Rose Catholic Church with Father Ray Moss officiating. Burial will follow in the LaGrange Cemetery. Jeannette died April 23, 2021 at the Chimney Rock Villa in Bayard, Neb. and cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Saint Rose Church or the American Legion Auxiliary. Arrangements are by the Colyer Funeral Home and condolences may be sent to colyerfuneralhome.com.
Jeannette was born Oct. 22, 1927 in Fort Dodge, Iowa to Joseph and Florence (Fowler) Lentsch, the fifth of seven children. She graduated from Fort Dodge High School in December 1945 and attended business school.
She was married briefly to Robert Hottman in Iowa, when her first son Curtis George was born. She married Forest Grandstaff on April 25, 1951, and in 1952 they moved to Morrill, Neb. where Forest worked for John H. Jirdon Company.
On July 4, 1954 they moved to LaGrange, where Forest and Jeannette purchased the old Dunbar elevator and established LaGrange Grain Company, now in its 67th year. Jeannette managed the office and accounts. In 1967, they built new facilities.
In 1956, their daughter Stephanie Ann was born, followed in 1959 by son Clay Forest. When Forest suddenly died in 1974, she chose to keep the business and carry on. Son Curtis resigned from teaching in Pine Bluffs and returned to help manage the elevator.
For the next forty-six years Jeannette kept LaGrange Grain Company supplying the needs of the customers. She was also a steadfast LaGrange merchant and community supporter, donating to many fund raisers, benefits and events. Among her blessings were her Catholic faith, friends, neighbors, employees and family. She enjoyed many years with her dear companion Tom Abe. Some remember Jeannette as a tough businesswoman while others saw a compassionate, generous neighbor. She was strong-willed and always named her own terms but melted when greeted with a hug and kiss.
Jeannette is survived by her son Curtis (Cheryl) Grandstaff of LaGrange; daughter Stephanie (Dean) Wright of Bayard, Neb.; son Clay Grandstaff of LaGrange; three granddaughters; five great grands; one great-great-granddaughter; two sisters-in-law; plus, numerous nieces, nephews and countless friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; her companion Tom Abe; and her six siblings.
