Irvin Vern Groen

GROEN, ECKHOFF, DEIKE, BRASE, BUSKOHL, GOSCH, BROCKA, SCHRAGE, VETTER, ELLERMAN

Posted By: dbeier (email)
Date: 7/21/2010 at 20:30:35

Irvin Vern Groen, 89, of Shell Rock, Iowa and formerly of Plainfield, died Friday afternoon, January 5, 2007, at the Shell Rock Healthcare Center of natural causes.

Irvin was born on November 28, 1917, in Aplington, Iowa, the son of Pete and Dena (Eckhoff) Groen. Irvin was baptized on March 10, 1921 in Hardin County and later confirmed at First United Church of Christ -Pleasant Valley, rural Clarksville. Irvin attended country school in rural Shell Rock and then attended the Clarksville School system through the 8th grade. On July 9, 1942, Irvin entered the U.S. Army during WW II. On December 1, 1942, Irvin was united in marriage to Doris Deike at the First United Church of Christ in Pleasant Valley. Irvin then continued with the military, serving his country in Rome, Naples, Southern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, Italy, North Africa and Central Europe. He was honorably discharged on November 14, 1945, and returned to the states. Irvin and Doris made their home on a farm near Plainfield, where Irvin farmed for many years, retiring in 1982. In 1990 the couple made their home in Shell Rock and on December 9, 2006, they both became residents of the Shell Rock Healthcare Center.

Irvin was a longtime member of First United Church of Christ – Pleasant Valley. In his spare time, Irvin enjoyed woodworking, fishing and spending time with friends and family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Doris of the Shell Rock Healthcare Center, his four children and their spouses, Perry and Norma Groen of Waverly, Veryl and Bonnie Groen of Waverly, Rhonda and Gary Brase of Plainfield, Brian and Sheryl Groen of Mingo, Iowa; 10 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; eight brothers and sisters, Art Groen of Shell Rock, Ray Groen of Waverly, Marvin “Bud” Groen of Waterloo, Ethel Buskohl of Holland, Ione Gosch of Clarksville, Dorothy Brocka of Bristow, Marlys Schrage of Allison and Beulah Vetter of Nashua.

Irvin was preceded in death by his parents, one grandson, Matthew Groen, one great grandson, Blaise Brase, two brothers, Bill and Bernard Groen and one sister, Ruth Ellerman.

Celebration of Life Services will be held on Tuesday, January 9, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at the First United Church of Christ Church – Pleasant Valley, rural Clarksville, with Pastor Anne Sunday officiating.

Burial will be held in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery, rural Clarksville, with military graveside rites conducted by the American Legion Post #176 of Waverly.

Public visitation will be held on Monday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly, and also for an hour before services on Tuesday at the church.

Memorials may be directed to family.