John Groethe

John B. Groethe, 87, died peacefully March 5, 2017 surrounded by family, including his wife of 64 years, Mary Lou (Kempton) Groethe. He was born October 23, 1929 to Amos and Emma (Hofland) Groethe in Rapid City, SD. He attended SD School of Mines, served in the Navy and Naval Reserves later working for the D&RGW Railroad. In 1962 he started Groethe Sprinkler Co. He worked as a contractor in irrigation, landscaping and construction until 2016. John was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Homer, Roland, Amos, David; sisters Eleanor, Marian, Kathryn, Dorothy; granddaughter Christine; four nephews; one niece. He is survived by his wife and four children John L (Shirlene), Elizabeth Ann (Michael), Nancy Louise and Jeffrey L; ten grandchildren Craig, Brian, Michael, Charity, Joshua, Jocelyn, Lisa, Adele, Benjamin, Rachel; fourteen great grandchildren; brothers Robert and William (Alice); sisters Joan and Jean; sister-in-law’s Edith and Mary Ida; numerous nephews, nieces and in-laws.