Ivan Merle Grotenhuis passed away peacefully March 3, 2018 at home with his wife Gwen nearby. He was just 11 days away from his 86 ^th birthday and was blessed to live a long and extraordinary life. Ivan's list of accomplishments is vast and varied and his passing will be felt by many.

Ivan's talents spanned a wide spectrum. He was just as comfortable in a pristine lab coat as he was in grease-spattered coveralls. His lap could be full of scientific journals and Popular Mechanics one minute and full of grandchildren and Winnie the Pooh books the next. When his children were young, he used his kitchen counter to conduct science experiments, showing them how dry ice could transform a banana into a hammer. He also used that same kitchen counter to make the perfect chocolate shake, four sets of little hands piled on the top of the blender next to his big hands.

Ivan was born March 14, 1932 in Albert Lea, Minnesota, son of the late Marion (Spike) and Ida (Enstad) Grotenhuis. He attended Albert Lea High school where he excelled academically, served as president of the student council, played the drums in the swing band, managed the football team and played the lead role in the school's production of "Feather in a Gale". As a senior, Ivan held a position as a member of the board of directors of Albert Lea's Chamber of Commerce, the first ever high school senior in the US to have full voting privileges on a town Chamber of Commerce.

Upon graduation, Ivan joined the Army and served 3 years during the Korean War, stationed in Germany. During leave in June of 1953, Ivan and two friends rode motorcycles to London and were in the city to experience the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

In 1954, Ivan returned from the Army and entered Minnesota State University where he met a young nursing student, Gwen Chafee. After dating for a year they were married in Madison, Minnesota in the midst of an ice storm on December 22, 1956.

Ivan graduated from Minnesota State University in 1957, earning a BS degree in physics and math, with minors in chemistry and psychology. Upon graduation, he was granted a fellowship from the US Atomic Energy Commission to attend their Radiological Physics program at the University of Rochester, conducting research at the Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island. There, Ivan worked on research at the Brookhaven Graphite Research Reactor, the world's first research reactor constructed solely for the peaceful use of atomic energy. Ivan graduated from the program in 1958 with a Master of Science degree in Radiological Physics. After graduation, Ivan returned to Minnesota State where he taught Physics and established the college's first Nuclear Physics program, which included the creation of a state of the art laboratory. After three years in academia, Ivan decided to pursue a career in nuclear pharmaceuticals and accepted a position at 3M in St. Paul, Minnesota. While at 3M, Ivan developed radioactive pharmaceuticals for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications, receiving US patents for all three of the products he developed. His work was so ground-breaking that in 1972 he received a national award from "Industrial Research" journal, taking first place for the "Most Significant Product of the Year" for his work in developing radioactive microspheres for lung imaging.

As his list of accomplishments grew, so did his family. In 1960, Ivan and Gwen had a son, Neal, followed not long after by Sue, Pam and Dirk. Ivan was extremely involved in his local community. While living in Blaine, Minnesota, he served as Chairman of Blaine's Planning and Zoning Commission, was a 4H advisor and was a member of Blaine's Charter Commission.

After 12 years with 3M, Ivan accepted a position with New England Nuclear Corporation in Billerica, Massachusetts in 1973 and bought an old farmhouse in Atkinson, New Hampshire. Together with his brother Steve, Ivan completely renovated the house from cellar to roof and once the house was ready, Gwen and their four children moved to Atkinson to join him. Ivan's professional career continued to flourish, and after NEN became allied with DuPont-Merck, he worked to establish FDA-licensed manufacturing facilities in several locations, including Puerto Rico.

After 20 years of service at DuPont, Ivan retired and was able to devote himself fulltime to his many projects as well as spend time with his family. His retirement also allowed him to spend more time in his home state of Minnesota, where Ivan and Gwen bought a second home on Lake Clitherall near Battle Lake, Minnesota. The lake house became a haven where they could enjoy frequent visits from family and friends and spend peaceful days together listening to the loons while Ivan did his crossword puzzles and Gwen read. For Ivan & Gwen and their family, the lake house was an infinitely special place, where endless memories were made and where Ivan felt truly at home.

Whether in Minnesota or New Hampshire, Ivan's skills to "get it done" were second to none. He could build anything, fix anything and was extremely generous with his talents. When Gwen needed a table to fit the whole family for Thanksgiving, Ivan built it. When his six year old granddaughter drew a fairy on a piece of wood, Ivan cut it out on the jigsaw and helped her sand the edges. When the Atkinson Congregational Church needed a new cross to hang behind the altar, Ivan built it. Whenever anyone needed anything, Ivan was there. As much as his mind was that of a brilliant scientist, his hands were those of a carpenter, rough and capable.

There were so many facets to Ivan's life it's difficult to capture them all. He was extremely dedicated to the community of the Atkinson Congregational Church, where he and Gwen both sang in the choir and where he also served as a Deacon. The church's annual Spaghetti Supper became an important and much anticipated family tradition. In his younger days, Ivan was a recreational pilot and owned his own plane, a single-engine Taylorcraft, which was his pride and joy. In fact, he loved anything that went fast, especially his 1961 Austin Healey 3000, which has stayed in the family until this day, now owned and fully restored by his son Neal. Ivan also loved the game of golf and spent many hours on the course perfecting his game. The highlight of his golfing days was in 2005, when, witnessed by friends Herb and Dee Lippold, he made a hole in one on the last day of the season at Brookstone Golf Course in Derry, acing the 96 yard first hole with a 7 iron. And, despite many years spent living in New England, Ivan remained a lifelong fan of the Minnesota Vikings.

Ivan was a natural-born teacher and we were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from him during his 86 years. Among them: measure twice, cut once. It's a poor carpenter who blames his tools. Duct tape can fix pretty much anything. Put it back where you found it. If a job is worth doing, it's worth doing right. And most importantly, love spoken in actions and deeds is more powerful than words.

He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 61 years Gwen (Chafee) Grotenhuis, son Neal Grotenhuis and daughter-in-law Verlie (Poulsen) Grotenhuis, daughter Sue Sullivan, daughter Pam Gallant and son-in-law Mike Gallant, son Dirk Grotenhuis and daughter-in-law Pamela (Howard) Grotenhuis, brothers Paul and Steve Grotenhuis. Ivan is also survived by grandchildren Ian Grotenhuis and his wife Heidi (Spencer) Grotenhuis, Brett Grotenhuis and his wife Sarah (Morrow) Grotenhuis, Daniel Gallant and his wife Katie Lantz, Brendan Sullivan, Leah (Grotenhuis) Beck and her husband Sam Beck, Kristen Gallant, Katie Sullivan, Renée Gallant, Thor Grotenhuis and Lars Grotenhuis, and two great-granddaughters Eva Grotenhuis and Claire Grotenhuis. He is predeceased by his parents Marion (Spike) and Ida (Enstad) Grotenhuis, twin sister Ila (Grotenhuis) Buss and granddaughter Lara Susan Grotenhuis.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend a Memorial Service to be held Saturday, March 17 at 11am at the Atkinson Congregational Church, 101 Main Street, Atkinson, New Hampshire followed by a reception immediately afterward in the church hall. A private interment will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers or donations, we ask that you take a moment to hug your loved ones, enjoy a walk in the woods, listen to the loons and appreciate the miracles of life, big and small. Time waits for no one.n Merle Grotenhuis passed away peacefully March 3, 2018 at home with his wife Gwen nearby. He was just 11 days away from his 86 ^th birthday and was blessed to live a long and extraordinary life. Ivan's list of accomplishments is vast and varied and his passing will be felt by many.

Ivan's talents spanned a wide spectrum. He was just as comfortable in a pristine lab coat as he was in grease-spattered coveralls. His lap could be full of scientific journals and Popular Mechanics one minute and full of grandchildren and Winnie the Pooh books the next. When his children were young, he used his kitchen counter to conduct science experiments, showing them how dry ice could transform a banana into a hammer.  He also used that same kitchen counter to make the perfect chocolate shake, four sets of little hands piled on the top of the blender next to his big hands.

Ivan was born March 14, 1932 in Albert Lea, Minnesota, son of the late Marion (Spike) and Ida (Enstad) Grotenhuis. He attended Albert Lea High school where he excelled academically, served as president of the student council, played the drums in the swing band, managed the football team and played the lead role in the school's production of "Feather in a Gale". As a senior, Ivan held a position as a member of the board of directors of Albert Lea's Chamber of Commerce, the first ever high school senior in the US to have full voting privileges on a town Chamber of Commerce.

Upon graduation, Ivan joined the Army and served 3 years during the Korean War, stationed in Germany. During leave in June of 1953, Ivan and two friends rode motorcycles to London and were in the city to experience the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

In 1954, Ivan returned from the Army and entered Minnesota State University where he met a young nursing student, Gwen Chafee. After dating for a year they were married in Madison, Minnesota in the midst of an ice storm on December 22, 1956.

Ivan graduated from Minnesota State University in 1957, earning a BS degree in physics and math, with minors in chemistry and psychology. Upon graduation, he was granted a fellowship from the US Atomic Energy Commission to attend their Radiological Physics program at the University of Rochester, conducting research at the Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island. There, Ivan worked on research at the Brookhaven Graphite Research Reactor, the world's first research reactor constructed solely for the peaceful use of atomic energy. Ivan graduated from the program in 1958 with a Master of Science degree in Radiological Physics. After graduation, Ivan returned to Minnesota State where he taught Physics and established the college's first Nuclear Physics program, which included the creation of a state of the art laboratory. After three years in academia, Ivan decided to pursue a career in nuclear pharmaceuticals and accepted a position at 3M in St. Paul, Minnesota. While at 3M, Ivan developed radioactive pharmaceuticals for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications, receiving US patents for all three of the products he developed. His work was so ground-breaking that in 1972 he received a national award from "Industrial Research" journal, taking first place for the "Most Significant Product of the Year" for his work in developing radioactive microspheres for lung imaging.

As his list of accomplishments grew, so did his family. In 1960, Ivan and Gwen had a son, Neal, followed not long after by Sue, Pam and Dirk. Ivan was extremely involved in his local community. While living in Blaine, Minnesota, he served as Chairman of Blaine's Planning and Zoning Commission, was a 4H advisor and was a member of Blaine's Charter Commission.

After 12 years with 3M, Ivan accepted a position with New England Nuclear Corporation in Billerica, Massachusetts in 1973 and bought an old farmhouse in Atkinson, New Hampshire. Together with his brother Steve, Ivan completely renovated the house from cellar to roof and once the house was ready, Gwen and their four children moved to Atkinson to join him. Ivan's professional career continued to flourish, and after NEN became allied with DuPont-Merck, he worked to establish FDA-licensed manufacturing facilities in several locations, including Puerto Rico.

After 20 years of service at DuPont, Ivan retired and was able to devote himself fulltime to his many projects as well as spend time with his family. His retirement also allowed him to spend more time in his home state of Minnesota, where Ivan and Gwen bought a second home on Lake Clitherall near Battle Lake, Minnesota. The lake house became a haven where they could enjoy frequent visits from family and friends and spend peaceful days together listening to the loons while Ivan did his crossword puzzles and Gwen read.  For Ivan & Gwen and their family, the lake house was an infinitely special place, where endless memories were made and where Ivan felt truly at home.

Whether in Minnesota or New Hampshire, Ivan's skills to "get it done" were second to none. He could build anything, fix anything and was extremely generous with his talents. When Gwen needed a table to fit the whole family for Thanksgiving, Ivan built it. When his six year old granddaughter drew a fairy on a piece of wood, Ivan cut it out on the jigsaw and helped her sand the edges. When the Atkinson Congregational Church needed a new cross to hang behind the altar, Ivan built it. Whenever anyone needed anything, Ivan was there. As much as his mind was that of a brilliant scientist, his hands were those of a carpenter, rough and capable.

There were so many facets to Ivan's life it's difficult to capture them all. He was extremely dedicated to the community of the Atkinson Congregational Church, where he and Gwen both sang in the choir and where he also served as a Deacon. The church's annual Spaghetti Supper became an important and much anticipated family tradition. In his younger days, Ivan was a recreational pilot and owned his own plane, a single-engine Taylorcraft, which was his pride and joy. In fact, he loved anything that went fast, especially his 1961 Austin Healey 3000, which has stayed in the family until this day, now owned and fully restored by his son Neal. Ivan also loved the game of golf and spent many hours on the course perfecting his game. The highlight of his golfing days was in 2005, when, witnessed by friends Herb and Dee Lippold, he made a hole in one on the last day of the season at Brookstone Golf Course in Derry, acing the 96 yard first hole with a 7 iron. And, despite many years spent living in New England, Ivan remained a lifelong fan of the Minnesota Vikings.

Ivan was a natural-born teacher and we were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from him during his 86 years. Among them: measure twice, cut once. It's a poor carpenter who blames his tools. Duct tape can fix pretty much anything. Put it back where you found it. If a job is worth doing, it's worth doing right. And most importantly, love spoken in actions and deeds is more powerful than words.

He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 61 years Gwen (Chafee) Grotenhuis, son Neal Grotenhuis and daughter-in-law Verlie (Poulsen) Grotenhuis, daughter Sue Sullivan, daughter Pam Gallant and son-in-law Mike Gallant, son Dirk Grotenhuis and daughter-in-law Pamela (Howard)  Grotenhuis, brothers Paul and Steve Grotenhuis. Ivan is also survived by grandchildren Ian Grotenhuis and his wife Heidi (Spencer) Grotenhuis, Brett Grotenhuis and his wife Sarah (Morrow) Grotenhuis, Daniel Gallant and his wife Katie Lantz, Brendan Sullivan, Leah (Grotenhuis) Beck and her husband Sam Beck, Kristen Gallant, Katie Sullivan, Renée Gallant, Thor Grotenhuis and Lars Grotenhuis, and two great-granddaughters Eva Grotenhuis and Claire Grotenhuis. He is predeceased by his parents Marion (Spike) and Ida (Enstad) Grotenhuis, twin sister Ila (Grotenhuis) Buss and granddaughter Lara Susan Grotenhuis.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend a Memorial Service to be held Saturday, March 17 at 11am at the Atkinson Congregational Church, 101 Main Street, Atkinson, New Hampshire followed by a reception immediately afterward in the church hall. A private interment will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers or donations, we ask that you take a moment to hug your loved ones, enjoy a walk in the woods, listen to the loons and appreciate the miracles of life, big and small. Time waits for no one.