Father Greving passes at 81
By Renee Webb, Globe diocesan news editor
Posted February 21, 2002

Father Louis Henry Greving, 81, died Feb. 14 at his residence in West Bend. The priest of the Diocese of Sioux City was known for his work at and dedication to The Grotto of the Redemption.

Funeral services were held Feb. 18 at SS. Peter and Paul Church, West Bend.

Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo said Father Greving was very dedicated to West Bend parish and Grotto. The bishop pointed out that the priest's first assignment following his ordination to the priesthood on June 15, 1946 was as an assistant to Father Paul Dobberstein, who started work on the well-known Grotto in 1912.

Upon Father Dobberstein's death in 1954, the bishop noted that Father Greving "very much took over the work of the Grotto. He had a great devotion to the maintenance and care of the Grotto."

Bishop DiNardo said Father Greving also had a strong devotion to the Mother of God. The bishop described him as "a very spiritual priest."

With the exception of one year of priestly service as pastor of St. Mary's in Pomeroy and St. Joseph's in Palmer, Father Greving spent the rest of his years of ministry in West Bend. The native of Willey served in West Bend as assistant from 1946 to 1955 and then as pastor from 1956 to 1987 at which point he continued as director the Grotto until 1994 when Deacon Gerald Streit was appointed director.

"Father was a very capable, loving individual. He had a dedication to the Grotto. It was his life. When I became involved, you could certainly see the love and appreciation of what the Grotto stood for," said Deacon Streit.

He pointed out that when Father Dobberstein had died, the main structure of the Grotto was completed, but Father Greving completed the thirteenth station as well as the Grotto of Bethlehem and the Grotto of Nazareth, the souvenir stand, rock display studio and other improvements.

"He has made so many friends around the world and with the local people here," said Deacon Streit. "He was such a loving man. He was very dedicated to his work here and his parish. He was a very strong man - had strong convictions with his faith and in the work he did here."

In an interview for the Grotto's Millennium Campaign that was held in 1999 to 2000, Father Greving said that he came from "a praying family." His father died in an accident when he was just 10 years old.

Father Greving spoke of the hard times they had on the farm in the early 1930s after his dad died such as having to sell their lambs that were practically like pets, for a coal assessment. Faith, he explained, saw them through.

He said that his mother was a woman of faith who had her children say a prayer in German "das here aus a byluf misakin" - "that we know our vocation." With that, they prayed three Hail Mary's and three Our Father's.

Deacon Streit said that through the years Father Greving wore many hats - pastor, friend, builder, spiritual director, tour guide and more.

He noted that Father Greving loved to travel and had only a day earlier returned home from a three-week trip.

Deacon Streit pointed out that Father Greving was involved in the marketing of the Grotto and the priest had been recognized for his work in promoting tourism in Iowa having received a plaque from Governor Robert Ray.

Mike Merwin, marketing manager of the Iowa Tourism Office, said that Father Greving's dedication to the continuing work of Father Dobberstein was an inspiration.

Father Greving, he noted, was very active in tourism. Merwin, who referred to the Grotto as one of the leading attractions in Iowa, said he respected Father Greving and that he would be missed.