W. Dean Groneweg

Aug. 29, 1926-July 5, 2011

OBERLIN, Kansas -- W. Dean Groneweg, 84, died Tuesday (July 5, 2011) at Cambridge Memorial Hospital in Cambridge, Nebraska.

He was born Aug. 29, 1926, in Oberlin, Kansas, to George H. and Effie (Baughman) Groneweg. Dean rode a horse to the country school. He graduated from Oberlin High School in 1944. Dean had a driver's license in high school and doubled as the school bus driver for the school kids.

Dean served his country in World War II, in the European Theatre, in the U.S. Army from 1945-46.

Dean was united in marriage to Dora "Peggy" Peck on June 14, 1949, in Oberlin. The couple just celebrated their 62nd anniversary.

Dean was a life member of St. John's Lutheran Church. He served on the church finance committee for many years.

He and Peggy farmed 20 miles southwest of Oberlin on the family farm. Dean was employed for more than 30 years as Decatur County Assessor. He belonged to the Oberlin American Legion Post No. 70 for 60 years, the Lions Club International in Selden, Kansas and Oberlin. He was a 4-H leader for the Wide-A-Wake, and served on the Cook Township Board.

Dean enjoyed his many animals on the farm especially his cattle herd. He raised exotic birds, donkeys, finches, and several species of fish in his aquariums. He was seldom without a dog as a companion, whether it was a St. Bernard or Great Pyrenees, or his latest pet Mac, the basset hound.

He was known to play many practical jokes and enjoyed visiting and telling stories. He loved to take day vacations from the farm to go fishing and boating with the family. He also liked to hunt deer. Dean and Peggy moved from the farm to a home in Oberlin in 2000.

Dean was preceded in death by his father and mother; a step-mother, Mary (Demmer-Roth) Groneweg; two step-brothers, Welton and Walter Roth; and one step-sister, Jane McKinley.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy of Oberlin; two sons, Robert and wife, Judy of Oberlin and Lynn and wife, Donna of Enid, Oklahoma; daughter, Joyce and husband, Jim Jones of Cambridge; six grandchildren, Jeff and Stormy, Nikki and Matt Johnson, Kristin and Doug, Adam and Justine, Eric and Liz, and Jillian; five step-grandchildren, Tobiann and Jeff, Ryon and Samantha, Zac, Whitney and Thi, and Garry; 15 great-grandchildren, Braden, Josie, Kodie, Austin, Maceo, Theo, Addison, Macy, Braden, Bryin, Mallory, Olivia, Emma, Kenley and Jarred.

Funeral services are Friday, 10:30 a.m., at St. John's Lutheran Church in Oberlin with Pastor Kevin Schnackenburg officiating. Interment is in the Oberlin Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted by the Oberlin American Legion Post No. 70.

Visitation is Thursday, 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., at Pauls Funeral Home in Oberlin.

Memorials may be left in Dean's name to either the St. John's Lutheran Church in Oberlin or the Tri-Valley Medical Foundation in Cambridge.

Announcement courtesy of Lockenour-Jones Mortuary and Pauls Funeral Home.