Joanne G. Grothe, 80, of Benson

Funeral services for Joanne G. Grothe, 80, of Benson, were held Tuesday, April 9, 2013, at 2 p.m. at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Benson.

Interment followed the service at the Benson City Cemetery.  Joanne Gertrude Grothe, was born February 21, 1933, in Benson, the daughter of Oscar and Martha Foslien Vinge. She grew up in Langhei Township, Pope County, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at West Zion Lutheran Church. She attended country school, grades 1-8, at District #51 in Langhei Township. She graduated from Benson High School and then enrolled at the Medical School of Technology in Minneapolis for one year.

July 3, 1952, Joanne was united in marriage to August William Grothe, at West Zion Lutheran Church, by Rev. K.P. Palmer. She lived and farmed with August since they were married. They were longtime dairy farmers and had various farms in Swift and Pope County. She worked part-time at Web Livestock for many years in the office. She also candled eggs in Clontarf for Baumgartner’s and worked at the Benson A & W.

This union was blessed with over 60 years of marriage and six children. Joanne was called from this life Friday morning, April 5, 2013, at the Stevens County Community Medical Center.

Joanne was a member of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, where she served on the church council and was past president of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church ORW, a member of the Christus House advisory committee in Morris, a Board member of Pope County ASC office, an adult advisor for Langhei Aces 4H club, a member of the Birthday Club and served on the Starbuck Hospital Board. She enjoyed reading, sewing, quilting, music and singing, gardening, and milking cows. She was active with her children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren encouraging their participation in a wide variety of activities. She attended as many of these events as she could.

She is survived by her husband August of Benson; her daughters: Julie (Peter Wayne) Grothe of Minneapolis, Janice (Charles) Lee of Hilllsboro, OR, Jeanine (Jon) Bowman of Sunburg; a son, Steven (Kristi) Grothe of Starbuck; 16 grandchildren; Christopher, Billie-Marie, Danielle, Shannon, Tracy, Daniel, Nicole, Stephanie, Jennifer, Steven II, Kacy, Jesse, Alexander, Tess, Cassandra, and Austen; 23 great grandchildren; a brother Charles (Helen) Vinge, of Apache Junction, AZ, and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her sons: William Grothe and Mark Grothe, her parents Oscar and Martha Vinge; and her brothers: Omar Vinge and Maynard Vinge.