GROOTE, Elso E. 1872-1940

GROOTE, DIEKEN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 4/1/2017 at 09:18:05

Elso E. Groote Died Sunday; Ill Past Year

Was A Lifelong Resident Of Grundy County And A Successful Farmer; Wife Died Six Weeks Ago

E. E. Groote, a lifelong resident of Grundy county, died at his home in Grundy Center at eleven o'clock Sunday forenoon. His health failed gradually during the past year. He was at the Marshalltown hospital for several weeks during the early part of the year for the best care possible. While he complained little about his ailment, he gradually grew weaker. The sudden death of his wife six weeks ago speeded his final decline. The end had been expected daily for a number of weeks by members of his family. He was 68 years old.

During the many years that he resided here Mr. Groote gained a wide acquaintance throughout the county and his acquaintances became his steadfast friends. He was born and raised on a Grundy county farm and he learned the business of farming thoroughly and he made it pay and acquired a substantial estate during his active lifetime. He was fair, he was honest, he was intelligent and industrious. Such a combination builds good citizenship. Mr. Groote was both a good citizen and a good neighbor. All of his friends express a sincere regret when they say they will miss him.

Burial in Colfax Cemetery
Funeral services for Mr. Groote were held at the home Wednesday afternoon and later at Bethany Presbyterian church with Rev. K. J. Stratemeier officiating. Burial was by the side of the wife in the cemetery adjoining the Colfax Presbyterian church.

Obituary
The following obituary was prepared by Rev. Stratemeier and read at the church service:

E. E. Groote was born in Lincoln township, Grundy county, Iowa, February 8, 1872. His entire lifetime was spent in this community.

On April 13, 1898, he was united in marriage to Miss Grace Dieken. Known to us all, and forever vivid in the children's memory, will be her sacrificial devotion with which she ministered to him in his prolonged illness. Unexpected by all, she preceded him in death May 2, 1940. It was in solemn submission to the holy decree of God, and with the prayer 'Thy will be done" in his heart, that he bade her farewell only six weeks ago. But the days of mutual suffering and patient endurance were moments of spiritual ripening for both and we may surely believe that his last smile expressed not only the joy of release, but also the assurance of reunion in the land which is fairer than day. In unbroken sequence the dates of their departure have been entered up on the church books as in the reckoning of eternity they have been separated only for moments to be quickly reunited in the mansions of glory and so to be forever with the Lord.

After patient suffering through all these months and with firm faith in the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, Mr. Groote passed away Sunday morning, June 16, shortly before eleven o'clock, at the time, no doubt, when the pastoral prayer at the church service was spoken in behalf of the sick and afflicted. It should not be difficult to think of the joyous homecoming of those upon whom the eternal Sabbath breaks at a time when the Church of Christ is assembled in holy worship. The days of his pilgrimage extended over 68 years, 4 months and 8 days.

Mr. Groote took his place in the community when he left the farm ten years ago to move into Grundy Center, this step served only to give greater prominence to his position as a trusted citizen and friend. His family will ever remember his fatherly thoughtfulness. We became especially aware of this at the time of the sickness and decease of his son, Arthur, who preceded him in death Nov. 21, 1936. Those surviving him will hold dear the memory of their father. His departure is being mourned by the children: Elso, Harry, William, and Andrew Groote, two daughters, Mrs. Alyda Engelkes and Miss Irene Groote, all of Grundy Center; a brother, Harm Groote of Holland, Iowa; five granddaughters, and many other relatives and friends.

Mr. Groote united with the Bethany Presbyterian church on Jan. 26, 1917. In his relations to this church he was faithful to the end. He was regular in attending the worship services. For many years he served the church as a trustee, faithfully discharging the duties of his office and always alert to lend his support to the true progress of the church. When only a little better than a year ago he asked not to be considered for re-election to this office, we knew that he was motivated to take this step not because of lack of interest, but because sickness was then beginning to make definite inroads upon his physical condition. We shall ever cherish the memory of his zeal for the work and his readiness to serve. It is ever true what the Psalmist writes: "Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.", Ps. 92:13.

For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia!

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 20 June 1940, pg 1, 12