Peter J. Grobel

Peter J. “Pete” Grobel, 59, was set free from the ever-long battle of leukemia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, a beautiful Montana morning at his home in Helena with his immediate family nearby. His family continues to admire and cherish his strength and love that he portrayed during his battle.

Services and reception are to be held on Saturday, Sept. 21, beginning at 1 p.m. at the Evangelical Church in Glasgow.

He was born in Billings to Lynn and Lois Grobel, joining his brother, Steve, and sister, Mary. When he was young, his family moved to Glasgow where he played football and basketball and enjoyed summers on Fort Peck Lake. He graduated from Glasgow High School in 1972 and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in business administration at Eastern Montana College (MSU Billings). While attending college, he became a bank examiner, which led to following in his father’s footsteps into a long and successful career in banking.

While working in southern California, his sister, Mary, introduced him to Peggy Hamilton, with whom he would go on to share 24 years of marriage and four children. In 1998, after living and working in Oregon, Idaho and California, he and Peggy decided to move their young family to Glasgow, where he joined his father at First Community Bank. Nearly 10 years later, the Grobels transferred to Helena, where he became part of the FCB branch there.

Cancer did not stop him from enjoying the simple things. He was an avid car shopper. He loved to scope out deals on vehicles, boats and even motorhomes. The hospital staff had to keep close tabs on him because he’d sneak out to test drive cars. He’d look at his wife and say, “Peg, what do you say?” His good looks and quirky expressions made it hard for her to deny his gimmicks.

He will be remembered by those who knew him best as a kindhearted and generous man who always wore a smile for those around him.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lynn, and beloved sister, Mary.

Surviving family includes his wife, Peggy; two sons, Nick and Zack; two daughters, Sarah and Lynsey; his mother, Lois; one brother, Stephen Grobel and his wife, Cheryl, of Tabb, Va .; and two uncles, John Grobel and his wife, Elizabeth, and Lloyd Grobel and his wife, Marion, of Minneapolis.

Bell Mortuary of Glasgow is in charge of arrangements.