William Louis Gratopp, the son of Ludwig and Augusta (Meyer) Gratopp, was born on Oct. 8, 1922, in Thayer, County, Neb. He died April 12, 2021 at Heritage Crossings at Geneva, Neb. at the age of 98 years, 6 months, 4 days.

He attended school in Shickley, graduating in 1940 from Shickley High School.

On March 5, 1946, he was united in marriage to Donna Mae Higer at her aunt's home in Mankato, Kan., and to this union three children were born.

Living in the Superior community since 1950, William brought a lot of businesses to town including a Culligan Water franchise, the bowling alley w...