Arden Hills, MN - Kenneth G. Grosch, 87, of Arden Hills, MN died June 6th, 2025 after a brief illness. Ken was born in Albert City, IA on February 19, 1938 to Gilbert and Viola Grosch. A life-long learner, it was here he discovered an interest in all things mechanical and electrical, and he would later earn a BA degree in Electrical Engineering from Iowa State University. In 1957, Ken enlisted in the Army, serving as a cryptographic equipment repairman in Germany until 1960. After mustering out, he returned to Iowa State where he met Rosalie Grangaard, staff associate at the Lutheran Student Center. They were married in the campus chapel in 1962, although Ken never actually proposed. The couple soon moved to CA where they welcomed their daughters Heidi and Greta, and Ken began his career in the aerospace industry as an engineer on the first Apollo spacecraft. He also earned an MA degree in Business from California State College at Fullerton.

Raised in the church, Ken had a renewal of faith during their time in CA and, in 1971, the family sold their belongings and accepted a call to serve as volunteer teachers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in a school of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Upon their return, Ken served as the assistant to the Bishop in the Iowa Synod of the Lutheran Church in America, and later as an executive for a rural electric coop. In 1981, a call came from the American Lutheran Church to be missionaries in Papua New Guinea, and Ken served as the Director of Communications for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG for 5 years. In 1989, he became the first full time Executive Director of Global Health Ministries, a non-profit Lutheran agency based in MN that supports Lutheran Health Care in 17 countries. For 12 ½ years, his zeal for Christ and global service united throngs of volunteers. It was, in Ken's words, "A journey of joy!" After retirement, Ken and Rosalie again headed overseas as volunteers, teaching English in Fuyang, China for one summer.

Ken loved to serve others. Ken also loved to putter. He took great joy in tackling projects, and spent his later years building and expanding their home on Goose Lake. He looked forward to regular trips to Menards, gatherings with his woodworker's group from church, and believed it's better "to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it." Ken leaves his family a legacy of scrap lumber and other miscellaneous precious items they may never need.

A man of humor, of faith, and an amazing problem solver, Ken was interested and interesting, collected both people and things, gave great hugs, and was always GRATEFUL. His was a life well-lived and well-loved. He will be missed.

Preceded in death by many loved ones, Ken is survived by wife of 63 years Rosalie Grosch, daughters Greta Grosch and Heidi Haavan Grosch, son-in-law Morten Haavan, sister Dee Meissner and sister-in-law Marilyn Preus, and a multitude of cherished family members and friends. Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, July 15, 11:00 a.m. at Incarnation Lutheran Church, 4880 Hodgson Rd, Shoreview, MN with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment Wednesday, July 16th, 1pm at Calvary Lutheran Church, 600 Rush Point Dr, Stanchfield, MN with an ice cream social to follow. Memorials to Incarnation Lutheran Church, Global Health Ministries or donor's choice.

Well done, good and faithful servant.