Leo was born May 19, 1935, at St. John's Hospital in Rapid City to Louis F. and Edna V. Grubl, the oldest of three sons. Leo was baptized and confirmed in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at Bear Butte, SD. He attended grade school at the Middle Alkali School and high school at St. Martin's in Sturgis and Sturgis Brown High School. Dad played football for St. Martin's and was a band member at Sturgis Brown High and spoke fondly of the games and away trips he took part in. He grew up on the family ranch east of Sturgis working side by side with his dad and brothers. Leo was very active in the Alkali Troopers 4-H club and later college 4-H. Leo graduated from South Dakota State University in 1957 with a BS in Ag Education and earned his Masters of Education in 1964.

Leo married his 4-H sweetheart, Iva Bierschbach, August 3, 1957, in Webster, SD. One of Leo's regrets was he won't be able to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary this coming August.

After college, he followed his mother's example of educating youth. Leo taught for seven years in Tulare, SD, Elgin, ND, and Linton, ND. After one year, his teaching career was interrupted to serve his country in the U. S. Army from 1958 to 1959 at Fort Carson, CO.

A son, Christopher, born July 15, 1961, joined the family in Elgin, ND, and a daughter, Elizabeth, born August 13, 1962, in Linton, ND.

Leo, Iva, and family joined the family ranching operation in the summer of 1964. Leo has dedicated his life to agriculture and the betterment of rural community in the Dakotas. He returned to the family ranch when needed by the family and proceeded to build a strong reputation as a very competent ranch manager. Leo was one of the 1st area ranchers to Performance Test his cattle to strengthen bloodline. Leo managed the herd performance and ranch finances with up to date technology. His diligence and attention to detail has lead the ranch to be one of the biggest producers of stabilizer bulls for Leachman's of Colorado. The Grubl Alkali Ranch will be celebrating 125 years and 7 generations this fall.

Leo was appointed to represent his area with the rural electric association. He dedicated 30+ years to bringing affordable, reliable energy to the rural areas. Leo was a Director for West River Electric for 31 years, Director of Cooperative Finance Corporation for 7 years (a bank set up by Rural Electric Associations), Director of Basin Electric for 7 years, and a Director of Rushmore Electric for 20+ years.

Leo was a member of Crop Improvement Association, Alkali Community Club, Soil Conservation Supervisor for 15 years, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, (Immaculate Conception Parish - Bear Butte Valley - Treasurer), Knights of Columbus, Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce for over 40 years - Director representing the Ag Community, Toast Master Member, and Alpha Zeta - Honorary Ag Fraternity.

A few awards he received were Outstanding Young Farmer - Sturgis Jaycees 1968, Sturgis Chamber of Commerce Ag Producer of the year 2008, and Rapid City Chamber of Commerce Ag Producer of the year 2012, and well as numerous other awards and recognitions for his years of service to the community.

Leo and his family very much appreciate the folks at Hospice of the Northern Hills for taking great care of Dad the last few months and the staff of the Sturgis Hospital for caring for dad the last few days. He truly appreciated your care and concern.

Leo E Grubl, 82, Sturgis, died Thursday, March 16, 2017, at Sturgis Regional Hospital.

Leo is survived by his wife of 59+ years, Iva Elaine (Bierschbach) Grubl; one son, Christopher Jon (Vera) Grubl; one daughter, Elizabeth Ann Grubl; 2 grandsons, Adam Louis (Karly) Grubl and Lucas Jon (Kymber Keffeler, finance) Grubl; two brothers, Edward (Carol) Grubl and Lyle (Diane) Grubl; three great-grand babies due in June; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be Wednesday, March 22, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. at St. Martin's Chapel at the west end of Sherman Street next to St. Aloysius Cemetery in Sturgis.

Funeral Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 23, 2017, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis. Interment is at 11:30 a.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

In lieu of flowers, we are asking for memorials to be sent to St. Martin's Chapel Restoration Fund, 1049 Howard Street, Sturgis, SD 57785. St. Martin's Chapel is in need of additional restoration and Leo was very supportive of this project.

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