ELLINWOOD — Michael Paul Grubbe, 62, of Ellinwood, Kan., passed away April 2, 2025, at the Ellinwood District Hospital. He was born July 1, 1962, in Peru, New York, the son of Clinton F. and Yvonne M. (Grubbs) Grubbe.
Michael has resided in Ellinwood since 1998, formerly of Colorado. He graduated from Edgemont High School, Edgemont, South Dakota, and attended Spearfish University, Spearfish, South Dakota. Michael was an over the road truck driver, most recently having driven for Messer (formerly Linde Global Helium, Inc and BOC Gases). He hauled liquid and gas helium from coast to coast. Helium was used to fill MRI machines for hospitals, industrial use for welding and pressure testing refrigeration, fill underwater breathing tanks, and for filling balloons for high altitude research for the U.S. Government and Macy’s Day Parade, Albuquerque Balloon Fest, and the Mardi Gras Parade. Michael received safety plaques for driving one million and two million miles. He also hauled the base course for the Denver International Airport. Michael also worked for J.W. Gibson Well Service as a relief operator, worked wells over 7,000 to 9,000 feet in depth. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, Edgemont, South Dakota. Michael was an avid deer hunter, and enjoyed woodworking and welding, especially building barbeque smokers.
On Sept. 3, 1985, Michael was united in marriage with Peggy JoAnn Fox in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Michael is survived by his wife, Peggy Grubbe of Ellinwood, Kan.; son, Nicholas Grubbe of Ellinwood, Kan.; two stepsons, Travis Fox of Ellinwood, Kan., and Troy Fox of Madison, S.D.; stepdaughter, Tracy Pardy of Howard, S.D.; two sisters, Valorie Stoller of Aberdeen, S.D., and Holly Steinbach of Aurora, Colo.; and five grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; Clinton and Yvonne Grubbe.
Funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons. Memorials may be given to the Ellinwood Food Bank in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Birzer Funeral Home
214 West Ave. South
Lyons, KS 67554
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 8, 2025
