Col. US Army Retired. Widower of actress Donna Reed.
Newspaper Obituary:
Memorial services for Grover W. Asmus, husband of Denison, Iowa, native Donna Reed from 1974 until her death in 1986, will be at 5 p.m. Monday at All Saints Episcopal Church in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Asmus died last Saturday in Palm Desert, Calif.
In January of this year, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor that was removed partially by surgery.
Asmus met Reed at a mutual friend's dinner party and they were married in 1974.
Born on a farm south of Denison, Reed appeared in more than 40 feature films and won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1953 for her role in "From Here to Eternity." She also was the star of the "The Donna Reed" television show from 1958 to 1966.
"The Colonel," as current Donna Reed Foundation Vice President Bill Wright affectionately referred to Asmus, "not only thought the world of Donna, but also transcended that love to the Denison community.
"Once Donna died, it was so important to him that the town of Denison did well. It seemed that the work of the Foundation and Festival, all in Donna's honor, gave such meaning to him."
Asmus was the founding president of the Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts in 1987. Michael Mundt, former foundation board director, reminisced on Asmus' involvement in the formation of the foundation.
"Local people can thank Grover for the present existence of the Donna Reed Theatre and Center," Mundt said. "If he had not gone along with the vision and financially joined in our efforts to preserve the Theatre, we would now have a parking lot on the corner of Broadway and Main."
Born in North Bergen, N.J., in 1926, Asmus graduated from the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in 1946. He served in the U.S. Army until 1972, attaining the rank of colonel. He had many assignments including senior aide to General of the Army Omar N. Bradley.
Surviving Asmus are his wife, Louise Good Asmus of Beverly Hills; his son, Grover E. "Buster" Asmus II of Mobile, Ala.; his daughter, Christina Asmus Abell of Peachtree City, Ga.; and several grandchildren.
* * * * * * * * *
Col. Ausmus' name was originally included on a headstone marking Donna Reed's grave at Westwood Memorial Park in Westwood, CA, and he was often seen there visiting her and tending to the grave. His name was eventually removed from that marker and he was interred at West Point. 2/24/2021 ScottRC Suggested edit: FYI...Col. Asmus' marker was not removed from Donna Reeds grave marker as stated in the Bio. It still remains there as of 2021.
Thank you fellow Hollywood Undergrounders Jim L. and Roberta for helping research this memorial. Special thanks to SSG Peter Thens for taking the time to photograph Col. Ausmus' grave.
Newspaper Obituary:
Memorial services for Grover W. Asmus, husband of Denison, Iowa, native Donna Reed from 1974 until her death in 1986, will be at 5 p.m. Monday at All Saints Episcopal Church in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Asmus died last Saturday in Palm Desert, Calif.
In January of this year, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor that was removed partially by surgery.
Asmus met Reed at a mutual friend's dinner party and they were married in 1974.
Born on a farm south of Denison, Reed appeared in more than 40 feature films and won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1953 for her role in "From Here to Eternity." She also was the star of the "The Donna Reed" television show from 1958 to 1966.
"The Colonel," as current Donna Reed Foundation Vice President Bill Wright affectionately referred to Asmus, "not only thought the world of Donna, but also transcended that love to the Denison community.
"Once Donna died, it was so important to him that the town of Denison did well. It seemed that the work of the Foundation and Festival, all in Donna's honor, gave such meaning to him."
Asmus was the founding president of the Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts in 1987. Michael Mundt, former foundation board director, reminisced on Asmus' involvement in the formation of the foundation.
"Local people can thank Grover for the present existence of the Donna Reed Theatre and Center," Mundt said. "If he had not gone along with the vision and financially joined in our efforts to preserve the Theatre, we would now have a parking lot on the corner of Broadway and Main."
Born in North Bergen, N.J., in 1926, Asmus graduated from the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in 1946. He served in the U.S. Army until 1972, attaining the rank of colonel. He had many assignments including senior aide to General of the Army Omar N. Bradley.
Surviving Asmus are his wife, Louise Good Asmus of Beverly Hills; his son, Grover E. "Buster" Asmus II of Mobile, Ala.; his daughter, Christina Asmus Abell of Peachtree City, Ga.; and several grandchildren.
* * * * * * * * *
Col. Ausmus' name was originally included on a headstone marking Donna Reed's grave at Westwood Memorial Park in Westwood, CA, and he was often seen there visiting her and tending to the grave. His name was eventually removed from that marker and he was interred at West Point. 2/24/2021 ScottRC Suggested edit: FYI...Col. Asmus' marker was not removed from Donna Reeds grave marker as stated in the Bio. It still remains there as of 2021.
Thank you fellow Hollywood Undergrounders Jim L. and Roberta for helping research this memorial. Special thanks to SSG Peter Thens for taking the time to photograph Col. Ausmus' grave.
Col. US Army Retired. Widower of actress Donna Reed.
Newspaper Obituary:
Memorial services for Grover W. Asmus, husband of Denison, Iowa, native Donna Reed from 1974 until her death in 1986, will be at 5 p.m. Monday at All Saints Episcopal Church in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Asmus died last Saturday in Palm Desert, Calif.
In January of this year, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor that was removed partially by surgery.
Asmus met Reed at a mutual friend's dinner party and they were married in 1974.
Born on a farm south of Denison, Reed appeared in more than 40 feature films and won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1953 for her role in "From Here to Eternity." She also was the star of the "The Donna Reed" television show from 1958 to 1966.
"The Colonel," as current Donna Reed Foundation Vice President Bill Wright affectionately referred to Asmus, "not only thought the world of Donna, but also transcended that love to the Denison community.
"Once Donna died, it was so important to him that the town of Denison did well. It seemed that the work of the Foundation and Festival, all in Donna's honor, gave such meaning to him."
Asmus was the founding president of the Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts in 1987. Michael Mundt, former foundation board director, reminisced on Asmus' involvement in the formation of the foundation.
"Local people can thank Grover for the present existence of the Donna Reed Theatre and Center," Mundt said. "If he had not gone along with the vision and financially joined in our efforts to preserve the Theatre, we would now have a parking lot on the corner of Broadway and Main."
Born in North Bergen, N.J., in 1926, Asmus graduated from the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in 1946. He served in the U.S. Army until 1972, attaining the rank of colonel. He had many assignments including senior aide to General of the Army Omar N. Bradley.
Surviving Asmus are his wife, Louise Good Asmus of Beverly Hills; his son, Grover E. "Buster" Asmus II of Mobile, Ala.; his daughter, Christina Asmus Abell of Peachtree City, Ga.; and several grandchildren.
* * * * * * * * *
Col. Ausmus' name was originally included on a headstone marking Donna Reed's grave at Westwood Memorial Park in Westwood, CA, and he was often seen there visiting her and tending to the grave. His name was eventually removed from that marker and he was interred at West Point. 2/24/2021 ScottRC Suggested edit: FYI...Col. Asmus' marker was not removed from Donna Reeds grave marker as stated in the Bio. It still remains there as of 2021.
Thank you fellow Hollywood Undergrounders Jim L. and Roberta for helping research this memorial. Special thanks to SSG Peter Thens for taking the time to photograph Col. Ausmus' grave.
Newspaper Obituary:
Memorial services for Grover W. Asmus, husband of Denison, Iowa, native Donna Reed from 1974 until her death in 1986, will be at 5 p.m. Monday at All Saints Episcopal Church in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Asmus died last Saturday in Palm Desert, Calif.
In January of this year, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor that was removed partially by surgery.
Asmus met Reed at a mutual friend's dinner party and they were married in 1974.
Born on a farm south of Denison, Reed appeared in more than 40 feature films and won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1953 for her role in "From Here to Eternity." She also was the star of the "The Donna Reed" television show from 1958 to 1966.
"The Colonel," as current Donna Reed Foundation Vice President Bill Wright affectionately referred to Asmus, "not only thought the world of Donna, but also transcended that love to the Denison community.
"Once Donna died, it was so important to him that the town of Denison did well. It seemed that the work of the Foundation and Festival, all in Donna's honor, gave such meaning to him."
Asmus was the founding president of the Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts in 1987. Michael Mundt, former foundation board director, reminisced on Asmus' involvement in the formation of the foundation.
"Local people can thank Grover for the present existence of the Donna Reed Theatre and Center," Mundt said. "If he had not gone along with the vision and financially joined in our efforts to preserve the Theatre, we would now have a parking lot on the corner of Broadway and Main."
Born in North Bergen, N.J., in 1926, Asmus graduated from the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in 1946. He served in the U.S. Army until 1972, attaining the rank of colonel. He had many assignments including senior aide to General of the Army Omar N. Bradley.
Surviving Asmus are his wife, Louise Good Asmus of Beverly Hills; his son, Grover E. "Buster" Asmus II of Mobile, Ala.; his daughter, Christina Asmus Abell of Peachtree City, Ga.; and several grandchildren.
* * * * * * * * *
Col. Ausmus' name was originally included on a headstone marking Donna Reed's grave at Westwood Memorial Park in Westwood, CA, and he was often seen there visiting her and tending to the grave. His name was eventually removed from that marker and he was interred at West Point. 2/24/2021 ScottRC Suggested edit: FYI...Col. Asmus' marker was not removed from Donna Reeds grave marker as stated in the Bio. It still remains there as of 2021.
Thank you fellow Hollywood Undergrounders Jim L. and Roberta for helping research this memorial. Special thanks to SSG Peter Thens for taking the time to photograph Col. Ausmus' grave.
Inscription
Colonel
US Army
