Carl "Bud" Grupp Jr.

MASON CITY: Carl “Bud” Grupp Jr., 81, of Mason City, passed away Sunday July 12, 2015 at the Manly Nursing & Rehab Center. A celebration of life will be held 11:00 AM Friday, July 17, 2015 at Wesley United Methodist Church, 1405 S. Pennsylvania Avenue with Rev. Steve Hansen and Rev. Keith Scott officiating. Interment will be in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Thursday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Mason City and continue at the church one hour before the service.

The youngest of eight children, Carl was born May 28, 1934 to Carl and Bess (Owen) Grupp of Mason City. A son, brother, soldier, grocer, husband, father, grandfather and friend, Bud spent his formative years managing his family grocery on North Federal after his honorable discharge from the Army following service in Korea. Started by his father, Grupp’s Jack and Jill neighborhood food stores operated in the Mason City community for 65 years. To those he touched, he was fondly known as “Carl P”, “Uncle Bud” or simply “Bud”.

A community person, Bud was a member of Kiwanis for over 50 years, and a charter member of the morning Kiwanis. He served many roles at Wesley United Methodist Church. He was a very passionate and charitable Santa Claus. Hundreds of North Iowa children, young and old, have shared their Christmas wishes with Santa (Bud) Claus. Between Bud and his son Jeff, the Grupp Santas have made over sixty consecutive annual appearances at the I.O.O.F. Home and for other area community organizations. Anyone that knew Bud, knew his love for animals, especially schnauzers .

Bud had the good fortune of two loving marriages. He married Wilma Jane (Willye) Lehman of Lyle, MN February 23, 1958. On April 16, 1983, Bud and Carlynn Draman Reich were united in marriage. Between them, they share the love of four children, Greg (Teri) Grupp of Sioux City, Jeff (Jackie) Grupp of Hanover, MN, Larinda (Travis) Becker of Pleasant Prairie, WI and Brad Reich of Tacoma, WA. Also left to cherish his memory are seven adored grandchildren, Mariah, Carl, Amanda, Melissa, Rebecca, Alison and Anna; two great grandchildren, Kylie and Grayson; special cousins, Tom and Peg Bowen and extended family.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Wilma, sisters Ruth Snyder and Mary Jeanne Grupp; five brothers: Richard, Jack, Roger, Donald and the Rev. Robert Grupp, as well as other family members.

The family expresses heartfelt gratitude to the community of friends and caregivers at the Manly Care Center, North Iowa Hospice, Wesley United Methodist Church, neighbors and friends for their loving hearts and helping hands throughout Bud’s journey.