GROOTHUIS, Erwin E.

Erwin E. Groothuis, 80 years of age from Axtell, Nebraska died on Monday, October 31, 2011 at the St. Luke's Home in Kearney. Erwin was born on July 28, 1931 in Franklin County, Nebraska to Ed and Sophia (Fegter) Groothuis. He was baptized and confirmed at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in the Ash Grove Community of Franklin County. The family moved to Bloomington and Erwin graduated from 8th grade from District #70, known as Sunny Ridge School in Franklin County. Erwin worked for area farmers, George Albers, his uncle Tom Groothuis and Albert Sindt. Erwin served in the U. S. Army from 1952 until 1954. After serving in the military he worked at Yost Lumber Company in Minden for 3 years, then worked at B&C Steel, Kingsley Lumber and Redi-Mix in Holdrege. On September 11, 1960 he married Evon Marilyn Flesner at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hildreth. They were blessed with 4 children, Joel, Leta, Sharon and Myrna. They lived in Holdrege for 10 years and then made their home in Axtell. In 1969 he went to work for Bob Roberts Construction in Axtell. In 1976 he went to work for Roesler Building in Wilcox, which later became Latter Lumber until he retired in 1997 because of health. Erwin had a talent for masonry work, woodworking and carpentry. He cherished his time spent with his children and grandchildren who were very important to him as were many babysitting children cared for in their home over the years. He was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Minden. Memorials are suggested to the church in Minden, Axtell Vol. Fire Dept. Rescue Squad, or the donor's choice. Survivors include his wife, Evon of Axtell; son Joel Groothuis and his wife, Tracy of Wilcox; three daughters, Leta Wiebold and her husband, Scott of North Bend, Sharon Krueger and her husband, Tony of Blue Hill and Myrna Emmons and her husband Colin of Lincoln; 10 granchildren, Blake and Blaine Groothuis, Caitlyn and Bethany Wiebold, Jeremiah, Mariah, Adam and Katrina Krueger, and Taylor and Jaycie Emmons; 3 brothers, Randolph, Ralph and Frederick Groothuis of Hildreth and sister in-laws Ruby Groothuis of Funk and Margaret Duffey of Bertrand. He is preceded in death by 3 brothers, Kenneth, Marvin and Arnold Groothuis. Funeral services will be on Friday, November 4, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Minden with Rev. Donald Becker officiating. Burial will be in the Hildreth Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Craig Funeral Home in Minden on Thursday from 3-5 and 7-8 p.m. The family will be present from 7-8 p.m.