Angelo Groso passed away on January 15, 2015 at his home in Smith Valley. He was 97 years old. Angelo was born on March 23, 1917, the second of eight children to Carlos and Maria Egurrola Groso. Angelo attended Smith Valley Schools until the age of 14 when he quit school to help his parents with the running of the sheep business and ranch. He became their right hand man, and took on many responsibilities at an early age.

Angelo served in the US Navy during World War II and upon his discharge, returned to Smith Valley to work on the family ranch. Upon his father's passing in 1955, he and his brother Charlie took over the operation of the ranch. Angelo met and married the love of his life, Blanca Ibarra, on June 24, 1954. Together they had three children, Maria, David, and Joe. In 1970, Angelo and Blanca, in partnership with Charlie, purchased the Wellington Bar which they ran successfully for over 17 years as the CG Bar. As with the ranch, this also was truly a family operation, with Angelo overseeing the business end, Charlie taking care of the bar, and Blanca running the kitchen. When the bar was sold, Angelo went back to ranching full time until he turned the ranch operation over to his son David.

Angelo was very proud of his Basque heritage, and his family was very important to him. He was an honest, hardworking, no nonsense man, and we will miss him. Angelo was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Blanca, sisters Mary Cardinal and Josephine Farias, brothers Ernest and Charlie Groso, foster brothers, Richard and Louie Zatica. He is survived by his daughter, Maria (Adrian) Taylor, sons, David (Nancy) Groso, Joe (Denise) Groso, grandchildren, Rusty (Connie) Koehler, Matthew (Rob) Taylor, Megan Taylor, Felicia (Eric) Herman, Emilia Groso, Christina Groso, sisters, Rufina Aguirre, Juanita Morace, Carmen (Harold) Farias, sister-in-law, Maxine Groso, brother-in-law, Severino Ibarra, several nieces and nephews, and his dog, Joe.

A very special thank you and much appreciation for the wonderful care given to Angelo by his caregivers, Diana, Christy, and Scott. With their help, Angelo's wish to live his life out on his beloved ranch and home were able to be fulfilled. We are forever grateful.

Services for Angelo will be held on January 23, 2015 at St, John's Catholic Church in Smith Valley, Rosary at 10:30 am and Funeral Mass at 11:00 am. Burial with military honors will follow at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Smith.

Family and Friends are invited to sign his online guest book at www.FRFH.net.

Donations may be made in Angelo's memory to St. Mary's Hospice, 429 Elm Street, Reno, NV 89503 or to a local charity of your choice.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home, 25 Hwy 208 Yerington, Nevada 89447 (775) 463-2911.