John Groene

John Groene, 81, of Donnellson, died on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016, at the West Point Care Center.

Friends may call after 1 p.m., on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, at the Schmitz Funeral Home, in Donnellson, where the family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m., that evening. There will be a parish rosary recited at 6:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m., on Friday, Jan. 22, 2016, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, in West Point, with Rev. Dennis Hoffman as celebrant. Burial will be at the Evangelical Cemetery, in Donnellson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his memory to St. Boniface Catholic Church, in Farmington, or the Lee County Conservation. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com. The Schmitz Funeral Home, in Donnellson, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Groene was born on Aug. 15, 1934, in Primrose, the son of John Joseph and Catherine (Merschman) Groene. On Dec. 16, 1962, he married Betty Jean Holloway, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, in West Point. She preceded him in death. He was a graduate of St. John?s Catholic School, in Houghton.

After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army. He was also a retired rural mail carrier and a farmer.

He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, in Farmington, and of St. John?s Catholic Church, in Burlington.

He enjoyed farming, wildlife, hunting, attending Army reunions and Rural Letter Carrier conventions, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Groene is survived by his two daughters, Ann Groene of Burlington; and Elizabeth (Eric) Frueh, of Donnellson; one son, John (Angela) Groene, of Eldridge; four grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; three sisters, Virginia Schulte, of Ft. Madison; Cecelia Stotts, of Hilton Head, S.C.; and Mary Joan Beery, of San Rafael, Calif.; and two brothers, Lester Groene, of Donnellson; and Delbert Groene, of Tampa, Fla.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty; and his brother, Robert.