Groth, Kenneth Charles -- 1927 - 2008

GROTH

Posted By: M. Groth (email)
Date: 12/28/2008 at 19:39:30

Decorah Journal 6.3.08
Kenneth Groth, 80, of Decorah, died Sunday, June 1, 2008, at his home. Funeral services are today (Thursday, June 5) at 11 a.m. at Highland Lutheran Church, rural Decorah, with Rev. David H. Andreae officiating. Organist is Connie Bolson. Soloist is Don DiLaura. Cong. Hymns are "Amazing Grace" and "Beautiful Savior." Solos are "On Eagle's Wings" and "In the Garden." Honorary casketbearers are all former Groth Trucking employees. Casketbearers are Chuck Groth, Dean Groth, Michael Groth, Jerry Nelson, Dan Downing, Bob Hewitt, Jacob Groth, Jason Groth, Brandon Viller and Dustin Viller. Internment is at Highland Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah.

Kenneth Charles Groth was born July 26, 1927, the son of Luther and Julia (Larson) Groth, on the family farm near Frankville. Kenny was baptized Sept. 16, 1927. He was confirmed May 11, 1941 at the Highland Lutheran Church, rural Decorah. He attended the Kjome rural country school and graduated from Decorah High School in 1946. Kenny married Dorothy Droivold Dec. 3, 1955 at the Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church. They moved to Decorah and Kenny owned and operated Groth Trucking for many years with Dorothy's help, retiring in 1989. Kenny also farmed north of Decorah and raised cattle and hogs. After retirement, he kept busy by working on the farm, fishing and gardening. Kenny enjoyed having coffee and visiting with friends at the Family Table Restaurant. Above all, Kenny loved spending time with his grandchildren and family. He was a member of the Highland Lutheran Church.

Kenny's survivors include his six children: Chuck (Dawn) Groth, Decorah; Dean Groth, Tucson, Ariz.; Linda (Jerry) Nelson, LaCrosse, Wis.; Lois (Dan) Downing, Waterloo; Janice (Bob) Hewitt, Waterloo and Michael Groth, Minneapolis, Minn.; seventeen grandchildren: Jill, Jacob and Jason Groth; Brandon and Dustin Viller; Kristy (Gabriel) Maness, Jessica (David) Stock, Daniel, Allison, Leah and Noah Downing; Cody, Kristen, Lucas, Jenna, Logan and Emmy Hewitt; one great grandchild, Ava Stock; two sisters, Norma (Donald) Halse, Decorah and Ila Barnes, Rochester, Minn.; two brothers, Keith (Rita) Groth, Decorah and Duane (Shirley) Groth, Decorah and many nieces and nephews. Kenny is also survived by his special caregivers: Britney and Courtney Bakken, along with two faithful friends: Lee Naley and Howard Johnson.

Kenny was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Dorothy, on April 5, 2000; four brothers-in-law: Ronald Barnes, Alden Droivold, Mervin Selness and Charlie Hagen.