Catherine Grotewold

Larchwood, IA

     Catherine Grotewold age 74 of Larchwood, IA, died Thursday, April 11, 2019, at the Doughtery Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD

     Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, April 16th at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood, IA, with Fr. Francis Makwinja celebrating. Burial will follow in the Larchwood Cemetery in Larchwood, IA.

     Visitation will be Monday, April 15th from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood. There will be a Vigil service held at 7:00 PM Monday evening at the church.

   Catherine Ann (Shipley) Grotewold was born January 15, 1945 in Tyler, Minnesota, the daughter of Billy and Mary (Wiering) Shipley. As a very young girl Cathy and her mother moved to Larchwood, Iowa. In 1951 Cathy’s mother was united in marriage to William Bontje, and she was raised along with her siblings in Larchwood. Cathy attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and graduated in 1963.

     Cathy was united in marriage to John “Leapy” Grotewold on February 1, 1964 in Larchwood, Iowa. Together they made their home on a farm near Larchwood, raised three sons, and were lifelong members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

     Cathy was employed at the Jack and Jill Store in Larchwood after high school, worked for Hutchinson Technology, Campbell’s Supply in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the Larchwood Food Center, and her last place of employment was at the Main Street Grille in Larchwood.

Cathy enjoyed riding motorcycle with her husband, spending time with family and friends, visiting vineyards, reading, solving crossword puzzles and word searches, and thrift shopping. She took pleasure following the West Lyon and Iowa Hawkeye sports teams as well as watching a variety of sport events with her family. Cathy was delighted to discover that she has a half-brother and half-sister. Over this past Christmas holiday she was thrilled to be invited by a close friend to an event at Strawbale Winery which included a helicopter ride over the Sioux Falls area showcasing the holiday lights. She will be remembered for being independent, loyal, brave, and strong.

   Those left to cherish her memories are her children, Robert (Dawn) Grotewold of Lennox, SD, Richard (Kari) Grotewold of Larchwood, IA, and James (Tammy) Grotewold of St. Cloud, MN; 4 grandchildren; 4 step grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; siblings, LaDonna (Jack) Hamann of Inwood, IA, Debra (Marv) Flier of Rock Rapids, IA, Dale (Pat) Bontje of Altoona, WI, half brother Ward Shipley of Hannibal, MO, and half sister Letha Wahrman of Shingle Springs, CA.

     She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband of 46 years, John.

                                                                                Blessed Be Her Memory.