Ken “Zeke” Grabinski

Ken ‘Zeke’ Grabinski, 75, died peacefully in his sleep on June 4th, 2025. To celebrate Ken’s life, his family invites friends to a special gathering at the home of Jim Hayes at 1142 E Court Street, Iowa City on July 6th from 1 - 4 p.m.

Ken was born March 28, 1950, in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of Bob and Kathryn Grabinski. He attended Clear Lake High School, helping his basketball team to the state tournament and graduating in 1968 (‘Go to State in ‘68!’). Ken then attended the University of Iowa and proudly played basketball for the Hawkeyes. After graduating, he played basketball in Angola, Africa, where he always hoped to return one day. 

On March 2, 1974, Ken married Patty Sangster in Iowa City. Together, they chose to live in the Iowa City area and Ken accepted a job with Amana Refrigeration. It didn’t take Ken long to realize he preferred being on the road to being in an office, and that he would be happier being his own boss. He eventually started his own firm, Grabinski and Associates. 

Ken was one of a kind. He was quick-witted and found humor in the most mundane circumstances. He taught us the importance of finding humor in everyday life and of not taking ourselves too seriously. He lived each and every day exactly as he wanted to, living life to the fullest. He made his part of the world a happier place. Every day was a good day for Ken, even up to his last day, which he spent with good friends on the golf course- his favorite place to be.

Ken was famous for and found great joy in handing out nicknames, all with a story to go with- Buff, Zelmo, Gopher, TOG, Lynny, Butter, Wink, Roonie, just to name a few. For anyone without a nickname, you were probably ‘lumber wagon’ or ‘Kid’. Ken was a generous friend with an uncanny ability to connect to anyone. He deemed himself a ‘collector of characters’ and, indeed, many of his friends were just that. He had a one-liner for everyone and every situation and anyone who knew him knew one was coming- ‘Good luck and good selling’, ‘Can’t never did anything’, ‘Say good night, Dick!’

Ken loved golf and all the guys at Finkbine, his daily outings to Starbucks, Seinfeld, Keystone, Colorado, his ‘little brother’, a good glass of bourbon, shooting hoops or playing catch with his grandkids, and a really good, really funny story that made him roar with laughter. Most of all, he

loved his home and his family. 

Ken is survived by his wife, Patty, their children Zach and Brandy Grabinski, Whitney and Scott Johnson, Stephanie Grabinski and Joe Graf; grandkids Jackson, Hayes, Zach, Nash, Cruz, Zoe and Hudson, and siblings Doug (Marcia) Grabinski of Clear Lake, Julie DiPaolo of Arizona, and Lyn Gierke (Harry) of England. Ken was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Steve. 

For those who want to remember Ken, memorials may be directed to Stronger Together 2.0, City High School, 1900 Morningside Drive, Iowa City, Iowa. These funds are used to enhance wellness for students at City High School who are experiencing food insecurity or who lack

access to adequate nutrition.

Online condolences at www.lensingfuneral.com