Art Grootwassink

ARTHUR JOHN GROOTWASSINK was born on October 12, 1926 in Kenneth, Minnesota, the oldest son of Ben and Dena (Vree) Grootwassink. He grew up with three brothers, Louis, Bernard and Robert, and a sister, Wilma. During World War II, Art joined the United States Navy and served on Midway Island. Following the war he married Sadie Wassenaar on October 14, 1947 in Reynolds Hall in Edgerton, Minnesota. The couple was married for 60 years and raised three children, Betty, Lois and Shirley. During his life, Art worked as a grain elevator equipment salesman which led the family to live in communities in South Dakota, Minnesota and North Dakota.

Art passed away on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton at the age of 89 years.

Art was a member of the American Reformed Church in Luverne. He enjoyed traveling, camping and his ongoing card game with Sadie. Throughout his life, Art took great pride in overcoming challenges that faced him. Art always viewed his life as a glass that was half full.

Art is loved and remembered by his three daughters, Betty and her husband, Jeff Orley of Nebraska, Lois and her husband, William Steigerwaldt of Wisconsin, and Shirley and her husband, Steve White of Colorado; six grandchildren, Frances, James, Sarah, Grant, Leah and Art; and five great-grandchildren, Madeline, Elisabeth, Sonja, Ingrid and Gemma Rose; two brothers, Bernie (Leah) Grootwassink of Florida, and Bob (Joan) Grootwassink of Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sadie; parents; brother, Louie Grootwassink; and a sister, Wilma Van Heerde Frease.

Art’s family would like to thank Wilma Grootwassink for her love and support over the years. They would also like to thank Art’s caregivers at Edgebrook, who were like another set of grandchildren to him.