Groetken, James 1943-1957

GROETKEN, HARMS

Posted By: Ethel Cunningham (email)
Date: 6/8/2023 at 10:20:54

Funeral For Groetken Children Saturday

James and Barbara Groetken were laid to rest at Calvary cemetery in Le Mars on Saturday double funeral rites. They were the children of Mr. and Mrs. Phil Groetken of Struble who died following a truck-car accident last Thursday.

St. Joseph's Catholic church in Le Mars was filled to overflowing is friends and relatives paid their last respects. Barbara, 17, and Jimmy, 14, were laid to rest in identical caskets. His Excellency, Most Rev. Joseph M. Mueller. D.D., bishop of the Sioux City Diocese, was present at the requeim mass celebrated at 9:30 am. Dec. 14 by Rev. Ralph Obermire, pastor of St. Josephs church, Struble parish of the deceased. The funeral was held in LeMars because St. Joseph's church would accomodate the large numbers it was known would wish to attend.

Also present at the mass were RI. Rev. Msgr. Frances Schultes of Remsen and his assistant, Father David Hogan: Father Paul Bruening of Rock Rapids: Msgr. J. D. Fisch, pastor of St. Josephs in Le Mars and his assistant, Father Mervin Hood: Father L. J. LaVelle and his assistant, Father Cecil Friedman of St. James church and Father A. W. Behrens, superintendent of Gehlen high school where the two students attended classes. Father Gerald Wingert, pastor of St. Joseph's church, Neptune, was also present.

Bishop Mueller and several of the visiting priests spoke words of praise for the deceased as well as the Groetken family, who was named a model Catholic family a few years ago by The Globe, diocesan newspaper.

Barbara was a junior at Gehlen high and Jim a freshman. Both were outstanding students. Barbara. widely known also in this area for her ability for handling riding horses. had been named lowa high school Rodeo Queen last year.

Pallbearers for Barbara were senior boys at Gehlen: James Kelley Jr.; Jack 'A. Hoffman. Jr.; Don Dreckman; Lynn Neubel; Dennis Shechan and Tom Wiltgen.

Pallbearers for James were members of the freshman basketball team: Charles Nemmers; Virgil Sheehan; Don Gralapp; Paul Woll; Carl Puetz and Don Neubrand.

Wiltgen-Luedtke funeral home was in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include the parents. Mr. and Mrs. Phil Grotken; a sister. Phyilis. a freshman, at Loretto Heights college, Denver. who flew to Le Mars upon learning of the tragedy and their sister. Shirley who was a passenger in the death car and who was released from the hospital on Friday.

Maternal grandparents are Mr. and and Mrs. Herman Harms of Brunsville and paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Groetken of Struble.

(Le Mars Globe-Post - Monday, December 15th, 1957)