Grover “Tom” Powers was born on October 30, 1930 to Edgar and Georgia (Ashby) Powers in Hartley. Tom grew up on the family farm south of Hartley, attended country school through eighth grade, and graduated from Hartley High School in 1949.
Tom served in the Army during the Korean War. He was a member of the Intelligence Corps while stationed in Korea. Following his military service, Tom took over the family farm. He was proud of the fact that the farm was recognized as a Century Farm in 1981.
On December 12, 1954, Tom married Phyllis Bohrns of Calumet at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Two children were born of this marriage: Stacey and Darcy.
Tom and Phyl retired from farming in 1992, but continued to live on the farm until 2017, when they became members of the Highlands community in Spencer.
Tom was a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge and a member of American Legion Post 288 in Hartley for 60 years. For many years, he was among the group of veterans who comprised the Legion firing squad at funerals and Memorial Day services.
Tom bowled with various men’s league teams in Hartley for many years and later he and Phyl participated in mixed league bowling. Following their retirement, Tom and Phyl started traveling. They enjoyed visiting Europe, China, Australia, and New Zealand.
Tom passed away on July 4, 2022 in Spencer at the age of 91 years, 8 months, and 4 days. Preceding him in death were his parents, Edgar and Georgia, his siblings, Maude Weppler, Margaret Peters, Winifred Chappell, Jean Wallace, and Bill Powers, and other family members.
Tom is survived by his wife, Phyl, of Spencer, his children, Stacey Powers and Darcy Powers, both of Minneapolis, his niece, Pat (Jake) Jacob, and his nephews, George, Richard, and Marc Wallace, and their families.