Gordon Vongroven
Gordon “Gordy” Wayne Vongroven, 75, passed away Saturday, June 11, 2022 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. A celebration of life will be held Friday, June 17 at 11 a.m. at Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church, rural Dorchester. Pastor Diane Odermann will officiate. Military rites will be provided by American Legion Post # 249 of Spring Grove, MN.
Friends may call from 10-11 a.m. prior to services at the church. Roble Funeral Home of Spring Grove, MN is assisting the family with arrangements.
Gordy was born in Spring Grove, MN April 23, 1947 to Norman and Julia (Lasseson) Vongroven. He grew up on the family farm, and later joined the Navy to fight in the Vietnam war. Though he didn’t speak much of the war itself, he told tales of being the captain’s driver, jumping off the ship to swim in the ocean, and accidentally sounding the alarm for what turned out to be jellyfish rather than enemy submarines.
After his four years of service, he moved to Waukon. He married Gloria Rosendahl and had two daughters, Susan and Tracy. They later divorced, and he met the new love of his life, Yvonne Tieskotter, whom he married September 6, 1997.
Gordy had a twinkle in his eyes and a smile on his face. No one was ever a stranger, only a friend he hadn’t met. He was a hard worker, and was always available to lend a helping hand. After several different jobs, Gordy became owner/operator of Eastside Construction and did many remodeling and new construction projects, including building his daughter’s home in Minnesota. During his free time, he enjoyed mowing his lawn and puttering in his workshop, but most of all he loved camping and fishing with family and friends.
Gordy was a wonderful man, loved by all who knew him. He brought so much joy and laughter in all he did, and lives are so much richer because of him.
He is survived by his wife, Yvonne; his daughters, Susan (Don) Baker of Mazeppa, MN and Tracy (Randy) Jensen of Hayward, WI; his stepson, Dan Tieskotter of Chandler, AZ; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Judy and Brenda; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
