Obituary for Dennis Joseph Groetken
Le Mars, Iowa Dennis Groetken, 77, of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, formerly of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at Mercy One in Sioux City, Iowa. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 9, 2019 at All Saints Catholic Parish St. Joseph Church in Le Mars. Father Matthew Solyntjes will celebrate Mass. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars. Military honors will be conducted by Wasmer Post #241 of the American Legion. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 8, 2019 at the Mauer Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. There will be a Rosary at 5:00 p.m. and a Scriptural Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church on Friday prior to the funeral.
Dennis Joseph Groetken was born on April 8, 1942, in Le Mars, Iowa, the son of George D. and Elizabeth A. (Wittkop) Groetken. He attended St. Joseph School in Le Mars and later graduated from Gehlen Catholic High School in 1961. After graduation, Dennis enlisted in the United States Army on September 30, 1961. He served with a transportation company as a light truck driver in Missouri, New York and La Rochelle, France. Dennis earned an Honorable Discharge on September 23, 1964.
Following his service, Dennis returned to Le Mars and began working at a packing plant in Sioux City, Iowa. He later worked at Dubuque Packing in Le Mars. When Dubuque closed, he took a position at Well’s Dairy in production. Dennis retired from Well’s after 11 years. During his retirement years, he cared for his mother, Lizzy.
Dennis was a member of All Saints Catholic Parish in Le Mars. He was an avid reader and movie watcher. He loved to visit with others and had many friends and acquaintances throughout the community. He loved animals, especially his Siamese cats. Dennis was a giving person and his last gift was to give the gift of life through organ and tissue donation.
He is lovingly remembered by numerous cousins.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; and several aunts and uncles.
Dennis Joseph Groetken was born on April 8, 1942, in Le Mars, Iowa, the son of George D. and Elizabeth A. (Wittkop) Groetken. He attended St. Joseph School in Le Mars and later graduated from Gehlen Catholic High School in 1961. After graduation, Dennis enlisted in the United States Army on September 30, 1961. He served with a transportation company as a light truck driver in Missouri, New York and La Rochelle, France. Dennis earned an Honorable Discharge on September 23, 1964.
Following his service, Dennis returned to Le Mars and began working at a packing plant in Sioux City, Iowa. He later worked at Dubuque Packing in Le Mars. When Dubuque closed, he took a position at Well’s Dairy in production. Dennis retired from Well’s after 11 years. During his retirement years, he cared for his mother, Lizzy.
Dennis was a member of All Saints Catholic Parish in Le Mars. He was an avid reader and movie watcher. He loved to visit with others and had many friends and acquaintances throughout the community. He loved animals, especially his Siamese cats. Dennis was a giving person and his last gift was to give the gift of life through organ and tissue donation.
He is lovingly remembered by numerous cousins.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; and several aunts and uncles.