Jerome “Jerry” Anthony Grothe, age 87, of Zumbrota, Minnesota passed away peacefully with family by his side on September 23, 2023. Jerry was born in Cherry Grove Township, Minnesota and lived most of his life in the Wanamingo-Zumbrota area. He was preceded in death by his parents, Obert and Gina Grothe, and his sisters, Sandra Grothe, Madelon Payne, and Karen Freiheit. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Judith “Judy” (Kolar) Grothe, and their children Annette (Dean) Freiheit, Gina (Steve) Abbott, James (Leah) Grothe, and Kelly (Thomas) DeVany. He is also survived by his ten grandchildren: Kate Freiheit, Clint (Brooke) Freiheit, Sam Freiheit, Hunter Follen, Jack Follen, Mackenzie Abbott, Jacob Grothe, Amanda Grothe, Sarah DeVany, and Emily DeVany.
As a young adult, Jerry loved working on his family farm and had many entertaining stories about all his youthful shenanigans (including those crazy road trips to the Twin Cities polka dance halls where he met his wife, Judy). Jerry went on to proudly serve in the United States Army and Army Reserves for many years. As a self-taught accomplished carpenter, he built a lifelong, successful business constructing and remodeling homes and commercial properties, creating custom cabinets, fixing furniture, and being that all-around handyman everyone eventually needs. In his spare time, Jerry enjoyed fishing, wood turning, traveling throughout the country with Judy, attending his children and grandchildren’s concerts and sporting events, and visiting and joking around with his many friends. Jerry, along with his son James, lovingly restored a Farmall cub tractor that he enjoyed showing in local parades and used, with an attached wagon, to give rides to his grandkids. Jerry, a devout Christian, was a caring husband, giving father, and one of the best grandpas. He will be remembered as a kind and gentle soul, who could strike up a conversation with just about anyone and made friends everywhere he went. He loved his family and friends deeply, and will be greatly missed. Special thanks to the University of Minnesota Medical Center Cardiac ICU department for taking such good care of Jerry in his final days
Funeral services were held at 1:00 pm Thursday, September 28, 2023 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wanamingo, Minnesota. Visitation was from 4:00-7:00 pm on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, in Zumbrota, Minnesota (507-732-5444). Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.
