Groetken, Edna - 1919-2007

GROETKEN, FRANKLIN

Posted By: Janet Schuldt (email)
Date: 10/16/2009 at 09:59:19

Wednesday, May 9, 2007, LeMars Sentinel, LeMars, Plymouth, Iowa, USA

Edna M. Groetken, 87, of Sioux City, died Monday, May 7, 2007, at the V.A. Medical Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Edna Margaret Groetken was born June 21, 1919, on the family farm near Struble, in Elgin Township, the daughter of Henry F. and Mayme (Franklin) Groetken. She attended Elgin Township country school through seventh grade and then finished her schooling and graduated from st. Joseph's Catholic School in Le Mars Edna served her country with the U.S. Navy during World War II. Following her honorable discharge from the Navy, edna returned to Sioux city and was employed as a secretary for various medical doctors. She was employed the longest with Dr. Jamison. She was one of the first civilian volunteers at the Sioux City Police Department, volunteering in the investigative department working primarily with fingerprinting from 1978 to 1983.

Edna was a life member of the American Legion, Wasmer Post 241 in Le Mars and was actually the first female State Commander of the American Legion in Iowa.

In her retirement, she enjoyed cooking, gardening, and spending time with her dogs.

Survivors include two sisters, Rose Mary Deegan of rural Struble and Mary Alice Wylie and her husband, Bill, of Milwaukee, Wis.; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and three brothers, Phil Groetken Sr., Henry "Hinnie" Groetken and Edward Groetken.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Le Mars with the Rev. Kevin Richter presiding. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars, with military honors provided by the American Legion Wasmer Post 241. Visitation will be after 4 p.m. Thursday at the Feuerstein Funeral Home in Le Mars, where there will be a Scriptural wake service at 7 p.m.

Pallbearers will be Chad Rogers, Phil Groetken, John Deegan, Dave Dandurand, Pete Groetken and Dennis Groetken.

Memorials may be directed to either the Sioux City Police Department charities or the American Legion.