Community rallies around family as Grube faces cancer

CRESCO - The Crestwood community is uniting in love and support for Derek Grube, his wife Brooke, and their 9-month-old daughter, Wrenley, as the young family faces an unimaginable health battle.

Derek was recently diagnosed with a Grade 2 cancerous infiltrative astrocytoma, a type of brain tumor that has already brought significant challenges to their lives.

What began as severe headaches, dizziness, and memory issues quickly led to testing that revealed a tennis ball-sized tumor. After a biopsy at the University of Iowa Hospital and consultations with oncology, radiology, neurology, and neurosurgery teams at both Iowa and Mayo Clinic, Derek's diagnosis was confirmed.

Derek is scheduled for brain surgery at Mayo Clinic on October 31, 2025. During the procedure, he will be awake so surgeons can safely monitor speech, memory, and motor movement as they remove as much of the tumor as possible. Recovery is expected to last at least six weeks, during which time Brooke will be by his side. Derek is currently unable to work, and his long-term return to employment remains uncertain. In the meantime, he is taking a new FDA-approved IDH inhibitor designed to slow tumor growth. Once its effectiveness lessens, he will begin chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

A proud 2013 graduate of Crestwood High School, Derek has always been active and involved. He was on the swim team since he was little, played basketball in high school, and worked as a lifeguard at the fitness center. As a Boy Scout, he helped build a bridge at the Borlaug site. Derek later went on to graduate from Upper Iowa University with a bachelor's degree. His family and friends often say "cancer messed with the wrong hunter", a testament to his strength, determination, and fighting spirit.

To help ease the family's financial and emotional burden, loved ones and community members are organizing a benefit event featuring both silent and live auctions on October 4th at the Worth County Fairgrounds in Northwood, IA from 3–7 p.m. The deadline for auction donations is Friday, September 19th. Donations can include new items, homemade items, baskets or experiences -- any help is appreciated.

"We are asking for your love and support for Derek, his wife Brooke and their 9-month-old daughter, Wrenley, during this extremely difficult time," said Brooke's Aunt, Jan Long. "This is a tough journey Derek is facing, but he has many prayer warriors, and we're all here for him."

Derek's mother, Vickie Grube, adds: "This is a tough journey Derek is facing along with his wife and daughter. Derek, please know you have many prayer warriors and we're all here for you; your mom & dad Grube, your brother Jordon, sister KimSue, niece Makayla and nephew Kyle along with our families and friends."

For anyone interested in showing support, donations, fundraising help, or volunteer assistance can be coordinated through the family:

• Brooke: 641-430-7474

• Jordon: 563-203-2449

• Neil & Cindy Grube: 563-419-1433

 

Fundraisers Set

A GoFundMe page has also been set up by family friend Jaidyn Crutchfield to provide additional financial assistance through this difficult time. You can find Derek's GoFundMe page by searching for his name on GoFundMe.com. At the time of writing, they have raised $7,510 from 106 donors.

The Grube family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to all who have already donated, prayed, and supported Derek, Brooke, and Wrenley in this journey. “Please feel free to donate, no matter the amount, everything makes a difference,” the family said.

They also shared words of faith that guide them through this trial: "For we walk by faith, not by sight." — 2 Corinthians 5:7

Wristbands are currently available for $5 with the slogans:  #DEREKSTRONG and CANCER MESSED WITH THE WRONG HUNTER at Leutholds, Holstroms and the Fitness Center.