Waldean Grauerholz

Waldean W. Grauerholz, 91, of Cedar Falls, died Sunday, February 25, 2018 at Rosewood Estate in Waterloo.  He was born July 22, 1926 in Athol, Kansas, the son of Walter Henry & Frieda Sophia (Hermanns) Grauerholz.  Waldean married Pauline Prosser on August 10, 1947 in Athol.  They were married for 62 years.  She preceded him in death July 9, 2010.  He was a Motor Machinist Mate 3rd Class in the U. S. Navy during WWII.  Waldean graduated from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas where he received his B.S in Agricultural Engineering.  He started work on June 11,1951 in the Engineering Research Division of the John Deere Waterloo Tractor Works.  He then moved to the Reseach Division Field Evaluation and Test, Industrial Product Surveys.  He then served in the Forestry Surveys and Development of the first JD 4 wheel drive Skidder.  Next he joined the New Generation Utility Chassis Group, Test and Development. Waldean then became Program Manager for 6 Cylinder Utility Tractors and the New 4WD Program.  He served as the Department Head of Utility Tractor Program World-Wide.  Finally, Waldean was manager of Product Test & Evaluation at John Deere, retiring November 30, 1984 after 33 years of dedicated service.  After retiring, he worked as a consultant with John Deere for a number of years.  He also enjoyed attending all the antique tractor shows annually and was a lifetime member of the Two Cylinder Club.

Waldean was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He had a great sense of humor and a smile that could light up the room.

Survivors include two daughters, Connie Grauerholz of Cedar Falls and Cynthia (Tom) Eikeland of Zephyrhills, Florida; his son, Dr. Gary (Dr. Kathleen) Grauerholz of Cedar Falls; two grandchildren, Dr. Jana (Rick) Morgan and Wade (Jayna, JD) Grauerholz; four great grandchildren, Claire and Kellan Morgan and Aubrey and Avery Grauerholz; one brother, Dr. Delbert "Del" (Shirley) Grauerholz of Denver, Colorado and two sisters, Loretta Beckmann of Smith Center, Kansas and Corrina (Dr. Ray) Haresnape of Lebanon, Kansas.

Waldean was preceded in death by his wife and parents.

Services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 1, 2018 at St. John Lutheran Church.  Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by Cedar Falls AMVETS Post 49.  Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday at Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home and one hour prior to service time at the church.  Memorials may be directed to youth programs at St. John Lutheran Church.