Erwin Groneberg

Erwin Ernest Groneberg, 94, of Morris, formerly of Hoffman, reached his heavenly home on Thursday, February 22, 2018.

Erwin was born to Ernest and Wanda Groneberg March 28, 1923, at the family farm near Dumont, Minnesota.  The family moved near Graceville where Erwin went to school through the eighth grade. He drove a horse and buggy to school at a very young grade school age.  His ponies, Beauty and Curly, were his joys as a kid.  Erwin was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Wheaton, Minnesota.

On June 6, 1945, Erwin married Helen Piepenburg, a country school teacher south of Morris.  They met when Erwin was doing custom corn picking where Helen was boarding. Their 69 years together began on a farm near Norcross and continued on a farm near Hoffman.  Most recently, Erwin lived at West Wind Village in Morris.

Erwin was a devoted and generous husband, father and grandpa who valued hard work, but had an infectious laugh.  His life centered around family, friends, church, and a quiet faith that ran deep.  Erwin was a lifelong farmer and fixer, the man to call if you broke down in the field.  He did custom work corn shelling, spraying, and combining.

Erwin enjoyed visiting family and friends, Sunday drives, playing cards, fishing and deer hunting.  Many great family stories came from road trips around the country when he took time to visit with the locals.  No one made better popcorn than dad/grandpa, with Dairy Queen being a favorite treat also.  Yet, coffee time at the farm was most sacred and enjoyed by many.

Erwin is survived by five children:  Paul (Sandy) Groneberg of Hoffman, Carol (Larry) Voorhees of Knoxville, TN, Janet (Keith) Bergerson of Alexandria, Ginny (Mike) Backman of Benson, and Dave Groneberg of Plymouth;  nine grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren:  Nate (Rita) Groneberg, Ellia & Autumn; Mike (Jaclyn) Groneberg, Owen & Alexander; Amy (special friend Chad) Groneberg; Luke (Gina) Voorhees, Parker, Clayton & Logan; Kimberly Voorhees; Jill (Jeff) Trei, Alexandra & Nicholas; Eric (Hanh) Bergerson, Isaac & Cyrus; Anna (Andrew) Motzko, Brody & Aubrey; Ahren (special friend Danica) Backman; two brothers: Dennis (Sandra) Groneberg and Dave Groneberg; sister, Wanda (David) Bean; sister-in-law, Edna Mae Groneberg; and many nieces and nephews.

Erwin was preceded in death by his wife Helen in 2014; his parents; siblings, Garnett Bruns, Adeline Fickes, Lois Fickes, and Robert Groneberg.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to The Lutheran Hour, 660 Mason Ridge Center Drive, St. Louis, MO 63141.

Visitation:  4 - 6 PM Sunday, at Zion Lutheran Church in Hoffman, with a 5:45 PM Prayer Service, and one hour prior to services at the church.

Funeral Service:  11 AM Monday, February 26, 2018, at Zion Lutheran Church

Clergy:  Reverend Bill Aufdenkamp

Interment:  Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Hoffman

Arrangements by Erickson-Smith Funeral Home, Hoffman.

Online Guestbook:  EricksonSmithFH.com