Karl (Doc) Grabau, 80, Boone, Iowa
BOONE, Iowa—Karl “Doc” Grabau, age 80, of Boone passed away Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, at his home.
Doc was born February 6, 1946, in Boone, the son of Otto “Ott” and Adeline “Addie” (Borg) Grabau, the oldest of five children. He graduated from South Hamilton High School in 1964.
Doc served in the U.S. Air Force from August 1965 to September 1968. He then served with the U. S. Army from September 1968 through April 1970 and finished his military career with the Iowa Army National Guard serving from August 1971 until July 1991.
Doc married Sheryl Elvert and to this union two sons were born, Matt and Brandon, they later divorced.
On July 26, 1991, Doc was united in marriage to Kathy (Craven) Losh in Boone, when he gained a third son, Joe Losh. Kathy passed in July 2019.
He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 817 in Boone and a member of the Ames American Legion. Some of Doc’s hobbies included, working, watching NASCAR and seeing his friends at the VFW and the Adobe.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ott and Addie; wife, Kathy; two brothers, Wayne “Speck” and Neil “Buck”.
Doc is survived by his two sons, Matthew (Shellie) Grabau and Brandon Grabau; step-son, Joe (Lori) Losh; grandchildren, Mekenzie (Vince) Jenaway, Landon Grabau, Emma Grabau, Janessa Grabau, Jazelyn Grabau, Logan Losh, Lane Losh, Lance Losh, and Layden Losh; numerous great-grandchildren; brother, Forrest “Stump” Grabau; sister, Paula “Pink” (Jim) Pudil; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Friday, October 16, 2026, at 1:30 PM at the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel, 1006 6th Street, Boone, with Pastor Mark Kvale officiating. Visitation will begin at 12:00 PM Friday and continue until 1:30 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Boone Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Boone, with Military Honors conducted by the Iowa Army National Guard.
In lieu of flowers, that family suggest memorials to be given to the Ronald McDonald House of Central Iowa, 1441 Pleasant Street, Des Moines, IA 50314 or http://donate.rmhdesmoines.org/campaign/768855/donate
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets in Boone. Online condolences may be left to Doc’s family atwww.schroedermemorialchapel.com
About the Author
