Frederick R. Grenier, 84, of LeClaire, Iowa passed away unexpectedly at St. Nicholas Hospital on April 24, 2021. Fred was born on July 6, 1936 to Frederick and Anna (Yoos) Grenier in Waterbury, Connecticut. He graduated from South Hadley H.S. in 1954 and entered the military in 1959 completing basic and special training at Ft. Dix, N.J. He later served in Fort Meyer, VA as a driver and dispatcher at the Pentagon motor pool until he was honorably discharged in 1961. As a chauffeur, he had the unique assignment of driving for many distinguished American and foreign personalities, including Hubert Humphrey, Mamie Eisenhower,, Sen. Estes Kefauver, Mrs. Charles DeGaulle and Stanley Musial of the St. Louis Cardinals. He chauffeured Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy in the presidential inaugural parade. He then served in the United States Army Reserve from 1961-1965. On May 13, 1961, Fred married Judy Overgaag in Washington, D.C.. He began working full-time for Continental Baking Company (Wonder Bread) in Boston. He quickly worked his way up in the company becoming the district manager in Boston, the General Manager in Minneapolis for four years, and the Regional Bread Sales Manager in Chicago for nine years. He finished his career in Davenport, Iowa as the General Manager of both the Davenport and Waterloo bakeries for 17 years. He retired in 1996 after 40 years with the company. Fred married Anita Moberly on April 25, 1998 in Davenport, Iowa and they enjoyed 21 wonderful years together before her passing on June 14, 2019. Fred was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He had many interests and hobbies including designing custom cars in his youth, elk and deer hunting in Wyoming, golf, skeet and trap shooting, fishing and going to the gym and dog park with his buddies. He and his friends enjoyed solving the world’s problems over coffee and donuts. He took impeccable care of his cars, trucks and lawn and will always be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and unique vocabulary. He had a nickname for everyone and will be greatly missed by the family and friends he leaves behind. Everyone, from the bank tellers to the nurses to the waitresses at the coffee shop, everyone loved Fred! Fred will be lovingly remembered by his two daughters; Debbie (Steve) Simms and Darlene (Timothy) Mech, his step-daughter, Lynn (John) Bryan and his grandchildren: Lauren and Mitchell Simms, Emily and Joshua (Tori) Mech. He is also survived by numerous brother and sister-in-laws and nieces and nephews. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Anna, his sister, JoAnne, and his wife, Anita. A funeral celebrating Fred’s life will be held on Friday, May 7, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the Tanglewood Hills Chapel in Bettendorf, Iowa. A luncheon will follow for family and friends in the Evergreen Room at Tanglewood Hills. COVID-19 protocols will be followed including mask wearing and social distancing. The family asks that in lieu of memorials, you choose to “pay it forward” and do a kind deed for another in Fred’s memory. A random act of kindness would honor a man who was thoughtful and generous with those he loved and kind and complimentary to all. Thank you.
I worked for Fred for over 10 years till he retired at Davenport. I wish I knew about his military service and could have gotten some stories from him about it. We shared many interests including hunting out west and clay target shooting. I remember meeting his dad and hearing about Bread and Cake sales stories from the North east from them both. He was a great guy to work for and I was always wanting to cross paths with him again at a local Gun Club but it was not to be. Condolences to the family. RIP, Fred.
As a wonder bread employee, I remember Fred. He would come out on the floor in the bakery and visit, make you feel essential. He was an impressive man. He will be remembered.
Fred will be so missed! I would always look over to see if he was outside when I went to my parent’s house. If he was outside, we would always chat & he never failed to crack me up about something! Sending love & light to his family during this time.
We are saddened by the passing of our long time friend. We shared many good times with him at our gun club. Our deepest sympathies.
Fred was our friend and neighbor. His friendship meant so much to us. We miss him dearly. Our condolences to his family and God bless him and you.
I am proud to say Fred was my friend. I will miss his always up beat personality, and the funny stuff flowed from him so smoothly in conversations. Miss you bud!
Great friend.
Loved to tell stories about hunting and spending time with his father-in law.
The trap and skeet fields lost a friend.
We are diminished!!!!!
So sorry for your loss Darlene. You father sounds like he was an incredible man...God bless you all..
Dear Darlene,
we are so very sorry to hear about your father’s passing. Our love, thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your family.
The Henke family
We will remember Fred as having a genuine smile and hearty laugh! It was easy to see how much he loved being with his family. We hope that all the memories of your Dad/Grandfather will fill you with laughter and smiles during this difficult time. All our love, The Winocur’s
I remember Fred fondly and send my condolences to all the family.,
