Kenneth "Ken" Groetsch

Kenneth J. “Ken” Groetsch, age 75 of Sauk Centre, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, December 15, 2023.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12 p.m. Thursday, December 21 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Greg Paffel officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thursday at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. A rosary will be prayed at 10 a.m. Thursday morning at the church.

Kenneth Joseph Groetsch was born April 19, 1948 in Melrose, Minnesota to Leander and Erma (Tschida) Groetsch. He graduated from Sauk Centre High School in 1968. Ken was drafted immediately after high school and served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam. After being honorably discharged, Ken attended Veteran Agricultural School. He was united in marriage to Florence Bertram on November 13, 1971 at St. Martin Catholic Church in St. Martin. Ken and Florence farmed south of Sauk Centre until he officially sold the farm in 2005 but never stopped farming, farming was his passion.

He was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre, American Legion Post 67, Paul  F. Donart VFW Post 2853, and the Sauk Centre Township Board. Ken enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, going to auctions, traveling, playing cards and Carbles, and eating salty food! He loved spending time with his family and the countless hours he spent driving tractor.

Survivors include his loving wife of 52 years, Florence Groetsch of Sauk Centre; sons, Jonathan Groetsch, his children, Justin, Katelyn, Bradley, Amber, and Hunter; Jamey (Shannon) Groetsch, their children, Alexis and Elijah, Joel (Crystal) Groetsch, their children, Clayton, Logan, and Jack, and Joshua (Stacy) Groetsch, their children, Blake and Hayden, all of Sauk Centre; son-in-law, Brock Leagjeld, his children, Brooke and Landon of Forada; and brothers, Dennis (Alice) Groetsch and Randy (Marlene) Groetsch, both of Sauk Centre.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents; and daughter, Jessica Leagjeld on November 8, 2019.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.