James D. Grotte was born March 14, 1953, in Fairmont to Stanley and Kathryn (Pannkuk) Grotte. Jim attended Fairmont schools graduating in 1971. He liked to tell people that for what he did for a living everything after 6th grade was pretty much a waste of their time and his.

At 12 years old, he worked part time in the summer helping in his father’s concrete business. At age 15, when not in school, he worked full time for Grotte Brothers Construction, a partnership formed by his father and uncle Russell Grotte. Some of their bigger projects included the original Fairmall Shopping Center (1969), Fairmont Elderly Housing (1970) and the Fairmont Community Hospital (1971). After his father’s retirement Jim partnered with his uncle Russell (1981-1985). He was then self-employed until October 2017 when a stroke forced him to retire.

In his younger days Jim thoroughly enjoyed hunting, fishing and building various furniture projects. As a member of the Martin County Conservation Club since 1973 over the years, he donated thousands of hours to various club projects such as rough fish removal, wildlife plantings, winter and summer fishing contests, acquisition and development of the Club’s park grounds and buildings on N. Silver Lake, building the dam on north end of N. Silver. In addition to the aforementioned projects was the yearly production of various types of nest houses for wood ducks, bluebirds, tree swallows, wrens, chickadees, kestrels, and even bats. Since the early 80’s the club has built over 10,000 nest houses of various types.

Jim was part of the organization committee to start the Pheasants Forever Chapter here in Martin County and was Vice President in the first two years of its existence.

From the late 90’s on Jim was well known for the quality of brickwork he did on many homes in Fairmont and Mankato.

Jim is survived by brothers Robert (Bob) Grotte of Park Rapids, Minn., Dean Grotte and his wife, Donna Grotte of Fairmont, sister Laura (Grotte) Kilmer and her husband, Donald Kilmer of Mesquite, Nev. and many cousins, nephews and 1 niece. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Gary, both sets of grandparents, aunts and uncles and two nephews.

Memorials can be directed to the Martin County Conservation Club, First Congregational Church of Christ, or Martin County Pheasants Forever. Please send no floral memorials.

Thank you to the Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center for the wonderful Hospice care they provided Jim. www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net

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