Albert Joseph "Al" Grosdidier

Albert Joseph “Al” Grosdidier, 96, of Pomona, KS, passed away at home Thursday, September 24, 2020. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 2, 2020, at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Ottawa, with military honors by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Family and friends are encouraged to wear a mask and bring lawn chairs for seating. Al was born March 18, 1924, at St. Paul, Kansas, the son of Louis M. and Alice E. (Vitt) Grosdidier. He grew up in St. Paul, moving in 1950 to Pomona. He graduated from St. Paul High School with the class of 1942. Upon graduation Al served with the United States Army from 1942 to August 1944 as a bombardier during World War II in the European Theater. When he returned home, he went to Pittsburg State University graduating in 1947. Al was united in marriage to Bessie Hammer at Emerald, KS. She preceded him in death on June 22, 1964. He later married Maria Rolfes July 9, 1966 at Osage City. She survives of the home. Other survivors include a daughter, Pam (John) Lombardo of Pomona; five siblings, Alice Nicholson of Dallas, TX, Francis Grosdidier of St. Paul, KS, Sister Mary Grosdidier of Atchison, KS, Lawrence (Janet) Grosdidier of Shawnee, KS, and Jean (Art) Scott of Kittery, ME; three grandchildren, Jenny Lombardo of Belmont, CA, Jonathan (Heather) Lombardo of Naperville, IL, and Elizabeth Lombardo of Dallas, TX; and two great grandchildren, Hannah Lombardo and Rylan Lombardo of Naperville, IL. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Bessie Grosdidier; two children, Cam Dean and Tim Grosdidier; parents, Louis and Alice Grosdidier; and three siblings, Ralph Grosdidier, Ed Grosdidier, and Theresa Fitzgerald; and granddaughter, Katie Lombardo. Al was a lifelong farmer. Farming was his life and he enjoyed “moving his dirt” and planting new crops. He loved snow skiing and entertaining his family and friends with his amusing and persuasive stories. He was a longtime parishioner of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The family suggests memorial contributions to Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.