Arnold C. “Arnie” Groskreutz, age 88, of Mankato, MN, formerly of Wells, MN, passed away Saturday, July 18, 2015 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, MN. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wells, officiated by Rev. Mary Iverson. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 21, 2015 from 4–7 p.m. at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be in First Lutheran Cemetery in Waldorf. Military Honors will be accorded by the Wells Color Guard. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home of Wells is in charge of arrangements. Please see www.brussheitner.com to leave online condolences.
Arnold “Arnie” Groskreutz was born April 11, 1927 in Waseca County, MN, the son of August and Wilhelmina (Schwarz) Groskreutz. Arnie graduated (valedictorian) from Waldorf High School in 1945. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He entered in the U.S. Navy on July 19, 1945. He was trained at Great Lakes Naval Base, IL: Wright Junior College, Chicago, IL. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal. He was discharged at Minneapolis, MN on July 23, 1946 at the rank of Yeoman Third Class. He graduated, B.A. Degree, from Luther College, Decorah, IA in 1950 and graduated, M.A. Degree, from University of Colorado, Boulder, in 1954. Arnie married Irene Stenzel on August 19, 1950 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. Arnie worked in the public education field for 29 years in both MN and IA. He was an elementary school teacher, high school mathematics teacher, Ag teacher, coach, high school principal, superintendent, and area business manager. The last ten years of his working career he was the County Director of Marshall County, IA for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Arnie retired (1993) in Wells, MN, close to his family.
Arnie enjoyed traveling the U.S. and has been to Germany. He enjoyed watching sports, playing golf, fishing, and playing many card games especially cribbage (ran and played in many tournaments). On February 11, 1999, he was dealt a perfect cribbage hand; odds in holding this hand are about 476,000 to 1. Arnie was active in Lions Club, Church, American Legion (past Post Commander), Kiwanis, and the Republican Party (past Faribault County Co-Director).
Arnie is survived by his son: Jeff (wife Linda) Groskreutz of Pemberton, MN; two grandchildren: Tyler (wife Allison) Groskreutz of North Mankato, MN; Katie Groskreutz of Eden Prairie, MN; two brothers: Milton (wife Marie) Groskreutz of Mankato, MN, Ruben (wife Ellen) Groskreutz of Waldorf, MN.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene.