David Joe Groen, 58, Kenneth, died on Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, at his home.
A funeral service was Tuesday, Feb. 18, at the Bethel Reformed Church in Leota. Interment was at the Leota Cemetery in Leota.
David Groen was born on March 5, 1961, to Carl and Dora (Timmerman) Groen in Onawa, Iowa. He was raised in Midland Township, Iowa, and attended Central Lyon High School in Rock Rapids, Iowa. He was baptized on Nov. 25, 1962, and confirmed on May 15, 1977, at the Bethel Reformed Church in Ellsworth, and went on to be a member of the Reformed Church Youth Fellowship group. Prior to his high school graduation on May 15, 1977, he was active in the 4-H Club where he had the opportunity to earn the title of Grand Champion Beef Heifer at the state fair. He also enjoyed participating in wrestling and playing the drums and piano. However, his mechanical abilities were evident at an early age as he began tinkering with small engines.
On Oct. 17, 1981, Dave was united in marriage to Bonnie Frederick at Bethel Reformed Church. The couple made their home in Ellsworth, where he began putting his mechanical skills to use at George Bruns Farms. They relocated to Sheldon, Iowa, while Dave was employed at Vogel Tire Company and later lived in Round Lake, where he worked at Sather’s. He also helped at Rock County Implement and M & M in Luverne, before Dave and his family made one last move to Kenneth. Dave opened his own shop in 2003 and continued to operate Dave Groen Repair for the following 12 years.
Dave was a current member of Bethel Reformed Church in Leota, where he took great pride in his role as a valet service assistant. He also volunteered with the Kenneth Fire Department, Kenneth First Rescue Responders, and Kenneth City Council.
In his spare time, he enjoyed tinkering with machinery while restoring vintage lawnmowers or making recycled art tractors. He enjoyed time outdoors, whether he was mowing his lawn, fishing, hiking, or planting flowers in his wildflower patch. He liked to take side-by-side rides on a nice day with his dog Minnie. Dave was caring, kind, and hard-working. He never hesitated to help those in need.
Dave is survived by his wife, Bonnie, of Kenneth; his children, Kristy (Phil) Vander Ziel of Leota, Rebecca (Kevin) Van Batavia of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Matthew (Renae) Groen of Spirit Lake, Iowa, and Michael Groen of Brookings, South Dakota; grandchildren Ty, Benjamin, Nevaeh, Amelia and Emma; and siblings Karen (Michael) of Worthington, Ken (Rhonda) of Ellsworth, and Deb (LaVearl) of Luverne.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Allen Dean; his father-in-law, Lee Frederick; and a granddaughter, Hattie Vander Ziel.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
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