The funeral service for Duane LeRoy Groe of rural Albert Lea will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Ascension Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. The Rev. Mark Boorsma will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery.
Duane died Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, at the North Memorial Medical Center, Robbinsdale. He was 81 years old.
Duane was born in Worth Co, Iowa, on Oct. 29, 1927, the son of Elmer and Pearl (Sime) Groe. Duane lived in north Iowa until moving to Freeborn County in the late 1940s. He graduated from Northwood High School. Duane was married to Laurene Anderson on July 7, 1947, at Silver Lake Church. Duane was a member of Ascension Lutheran Church and had been a member of Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Church. He had farmed in Freeborn Co, worked at Wilson & Co. for over 40 years and had also owned the Wells Car Wash.
Duane enjoyed farming and driving around checking his crops, yardwork, gardening and having coffee with friends. His greatest enjoyment was the time he spent with his family and grandchildren.
Duane is survived by his wife of 61 years, Laurene of Albert Lea; children: Debbie (Terry) Bolinger of Hayward, and Lonnie (Jackie) Groe of Golden, Colo; grandchildren: Mark Bolinger, Randy Groe, Scott Groe; brother, Arlen (Rhodette) Groe of Albert Lea; sisters: Evelyn Fjelstad of Lake Mills, Iowa, and Carmen (Melbourne) Butler of Northwood, Iowa; sisters-in-law: Nina Anderson of Ellendale, Lillian Pixley of Northwood, Iowa, Myrtle Berge of Osage, Iowa, Carol (Erling) Brudvig of Scarville, Iowa, Mavis (Marvin) Klouse of Rose Creek; and nieces and nephews.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Burnell, Donald, Gene, Elton, Jerry, and brother in infancy, Orin.