Harold Grassl

Harold J. Grassl, of Moscow, Idaho, passed away April 4, 2023, at Good Samaritan Village of Moscow. He was born August 31, 1926, in Colton Washington to Michael and Veronica Grassl. He was from a family of one sister, Mildred, and three brothers, Jerome, Laurence and Dan. He was raised in the Bald Butte area near Colton WA until moving to Portland OR in 1928. Returning to Moscow in 1942 where Harold worked as a farm hand on a 320-acre farm owned by W. Hordeman. He attended the Ursuline Academy in Moscow for three years of high school until 1944 when he was called to serve in World War II from November of 1944 as a young teenager until November 1946.  While serving as a member of the 19th infantry (Kyushu, Japan) as a Squad Leader and soon Staff Sergeant, he supervised an 11-man squad and taught courses in map reading and disassembling/assembling M-1 rifles and browning automatic rifles. He received several medals during his two-year term including the Bronze Service Star medal.

Shortly after returning from the war, he met the love of his life Evelyn Bosse. He knew she was the right one. After dating six months they were married on November 3, 1948, in St Mary’s Catholic Church, Moscow Idaho. This year they have reached their “Diamond” celebration for being married 75 years. They have two daughters, Marilyn, and Debbie.

Harold was a truck driver for 38 years, first for Korter’s Dairy, which became Arden Farms in Pullman, later he went in partnership with Ted Bailey and together they started B & G Distributors for six years. This trucking dairy business eventually grew into a fleet of several trucks and semis serving the community as far north as Rosalia, south to Grangeville, east to Elk River, west to Washtucna.  He retired in 1984.

Although he worked long hours, he found time to enjoy camping, fishing, hunting, bowling, and many pinochle parties with friends and family. Harold and Evelyn loved to travel and had many adventures with the Good Sam Camper Club.  He was an active member in the Troy-Deary Gun Club, the Moose Lodge since 1949 holding several positions including governor, a first-degree member of the Knights of Columbus since 1948 calling bingo and making/serving many sausage dinners, and also a proud Veteran of the Foreign War. His love in retirement was the many hours spent in his woodworking shop. Constructing the grandkids first rocking horse, model size semi-truck toy boxes and doll houses to roll-top desks and dinette tables and chairs, and many more projects too many to count. He could never make one; his wife, daughters, nieces, and grandchildren all wanted the same item!

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn of Moscow, brother Laurence (Carol) of Nampa, brother Dan (Lynda) of Clarkston, daughters Marilyn (Gary) Pope Moscow and Debbie (Lyle) Jensen of Asotin, five grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild, plus several nieces and nephews.

The Rosary will be recited at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 618 East First, Moscow Idaho at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 13, 2023 with Funeral Mass following at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place at the Moscow Cemetery following mass and a reception at the St. Mary’s Parish Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St Mary’s Catholic Church, Moscow, or a non-profit organization of your choice.

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