Rev. Lynn Groe
Rev. Lynn G. Groe, 71, of Waukon died suddenly Sunday, January 14, 2018 while vacationing in Zephyrhills, FL. Funeral services were held Friday, January 19 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Waukon with Bishop Steven Ullestad and Pastor Bill Odermann officiating. Burial was at Sion Lutheran Church Cemetery, Lake Mills.
Reverend Lynn Gerald Groe was born December 14, 1946 to Orlin and Norma (Madson) Groe in Mason City. He started his life on a farm in Northwood, where he once rode his trike to school in third grade, but only on that first day (since the wheels then fell off). He was involved in many sports as a teen, participating in basketball, track and as quarterback for the football team. He continued to be an avid sports fan, rooting for the Yankees, Hawkeyes, Vikings and Waukon Indians.
Lynn graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in electrical engineering in 1969. His life could have taken a very different path if not for the fact that one day, while on the tractor at his family’s farm, he felt the call to ministry so hard he “couldn’t shake it” and went directly to seminary. He graduated with a Master in Divinity from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN.
While in seminary, his parents encouraged him to look up some old friends, the Holstad family, if he ever wanted a home-cooked meal. He and Linda Holstad had met at church when Lynn was two years old and Linda was just a baby. While reconnecting with the family, Mrs. LaVonne Holstad believed he was coming over so often just for the food, Mr. Waldo Holstad believed it was to watch the new color TV, the boys, Wayne and Joel, believed it was to play football with them, and Linda “honestly didn’t care that he was there”.
Now, Linda’s parents expressed some concern with some of her friends at the time, but Lynn assured them, “Don’t worry, Linda’s a smart girl, she’ll find somebody nice and settle down.” Lynn convinced Linda to go on one date. Shortly after, they were engaged while on a trip to the Black Hills. Lynn and Linda married June 19, 1971 and moved to Deronda-Little Falls Parrish near Amery, WI, from 1971-1976, where Lynn was first a student minister then continued there after he was ordained from an apostolic succession that traces back to the Apostle Peter in August of 1973. Lynn then moved to St. John’s Western Douglass in Plainfield, from 1976-1985, before moving to Waukon, where he served at St. John’s from 1985 until he retired in June 2017. Lynn continued doing interim work since retirement.
Over the course of his service, he touched many lives with hundreds of baptisms, confirmations, funerals and marriages. He was quoted to say, “As long as you have a marriage certificate and show up, we’ll get you married” to help calm nerves. Active in the community, Lynn served as Secretary of the Northeast Iowa Synod of the ELCA, President of Allamakee County Housing, on the Good Samaritan Board, along with numerous other positive and proactive roles in the community and for events.
He participated in different golf leagues and ran many golf tournaments; the Pastor’s Masters was one he was proud to organize and won nearly every year. Lynn was also an accomplished woodworker and amateur electrician. He built many special items for his children, Brad and Karna, with the most recent proud project being Karna’s kitchen. Lynn enjoyed cooking and one of his simplest recipes of “salt soup” was a family favorite of the kids and grandkids.
Lynn was an early computer advocate/geek and was always interested in the latest technology. He taught adult education classes and while in college, had an early computer program published. Lynn was very proud of his yard and enjoyed spending time gardening.
Lynn loved all babies and children. It was almost a guarantee that if there was a baby in the room, it would be in his arms. Lynn also had a love of animals, especially his cats, Speck, Penny and Shadow.
When working, walking around, or even just sitting, Lynn always had a song he was either humming or singing. Lynn loved to sing and frequently made up silly songs and argued often about the correctness of his lyrics to more familiar songs. Lynn passed along a wonderful tradition for keeping track of his family members when on trips, insisting everyone “count off,” which was always met with a resounding “one” no matter how many were in the car.
He told his children every day when they were young to “Remember who you are” and also passed that important advice along to his grandchildren. Lynn was able to take things seriously while still having a sense of humor, pointing out when something was “SBS”, asking “What’s time to a pig?”, or even offering encouragement by giving the advice to “eat a rock”.
Lynn is leaving behind a legacy of servitude, love, friendship, humor, and a large gap in a family and community that loved him, but if he were here today, he would be sure to remind us that “everything will be fine.”
He is survived by his wife, Linda, of Waukon; his children, Karna (Shawn) Schroeder of Cedar Falls and Bradley (Darla) Groe of Lowell, AR; his grandchildren, Anna, David, Stephen and Max Schroeder, and Haley Groe; his siblings, Rev. Karen Dearchs of Algona, Charles (Mary) Groe of Ankeny, John (Beverly) Groe of Boone, Elsa Groe of Ocala, FL, Wayne (Elizabeth) Groe of Elk Point, SD, Linda (Arnold) Griffith of Northwood and Brian (Diana) Groe of West Plains, MO; his mother-in-law, Arla LaVonne Holstad of Vadnais Heights, MN; his brothers-in-law, Wayne (Julie) Holstad of Dellwood, MN and Joel (Jody) Holstad of Forest Lake, MN; along with many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
Lynn was preceded in death by his parents, Orlin and Norma Groe; his father-in-law, Waldo Holstad; a family friend, Barb Norstrom; a niece, Rebecca (Groe) Fishback; and a nephew, Noel Groe.
Honorary casketbearers were Steve Christenson, Orrin Grangaard, Greg Hagensick, Rev. Doug Mathison, Rev. Tom Meeks, Russ Meyer, Paul Mott, Dave Stangeland, Chris Stuckman and Bishop Steven Ullestad. Casketbearers were Jerry Groe, Gail Hakes, Peter, Devon and Bryce Holstad, and Randy Kamstra.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
