Robert A. Groe
Robert A. Groe, 75, passed away Monday, Feb. 24, 2020 at the Good Samaritan Society, Albert Lea, Minn. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, March 3, at Sion Lutheran Church, Lake Mills. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., Tuesday and continue until the time of the service at the church. Burial will be in Sion Lutheran Cemetery with military honors performed by the Lake Mills Honor Guard. Bonnerup Funeral Service assisted the family with arrangements.
Robert Allen Groe was born May 6, 1944 in Mason City, to parents Raymond and Evelyn (Kallheim) Groe. He grew up in Lake Mills, where he graduated high school. Robert worked at the Joice Elevator following school, until he was drafted into the United States Army. Robert served our country honorably from 1967 until 1969, earning the Bronze Star while serving in the Vietnam War.
He was united in marriage to Sharon Callahan in 1972, and to this union, four children were born. The couple would later separate.
Robert worked as a farm equipment mechanic for Budach Implement in New Richland, Minn., for many years. He then moved to the Twin Cities, where he built houses. His latest job was working for Tenderfoot in Blooming Prairie, Minn., until his retirement.
Robert was a member of Sion Lutheran Church, Lake Mills, where his father, Raymond, was the janitor for the church for nearly 60 years.
When Robert wasn’t working, you could probably find him at the bowling alley. Robert loved to bowl, and was very talented. He bowled in leagues in Mason City, Northwood, and Albert Lea. He traveled to numerous tournaments throughout Minnesota and Iowa. Throughout his career, Robert bowled five perfect 700 series games. He was also very talented at woodworking and making crafts through woodwork. He found peace in planting Iris and Lilies in his garden.
Surviving members of his family include his mother, Evelyn Groe, Lake Mills; son, Scott (Jacqueline) Groe and their son, Ian, Otsego; Sean (Mandy) Groe and their daughter, Chloe, Blue Earth, Minn.; daughter, Tammy Groe, Owatonna, Minn.; and son, Troy Groe and his significant other, Suzie Collins, and her children, Hunter and Sawyer, Waseca, Minn.; siblings: Victor (Georgia) Groe, Lester Prairie, Minn.; Julie Groe, Ft. Meyers, Fla.; Russell (Judy) Groe, Murfreesboro, Tenn.; and Harlen Groe; as well as many loving nieces, nephews, extended relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his father, Raymond in 2007; ex-wife, Sharon Groe in 2000; and his significant other, Marsha Rand in 2019.
