David Groen

Little Rock, IA

     David Groen, age 69 of Little Rock, IA died Saturday, April 18, 2020 at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Fall, SD.

     Due to the mandated health care precautions, a private family service will be held Wednesday, April 22^nd at 10:30 a.m. to watch please click the Live Stream Link.  Burial to follow at Pleasant View Cemetery in Little Rock, IA.

      Condolences to the family can be offered on the Jurrens Funeral Home website: www.jurrensfuneralhome.com   

 Live Stream - David Groen

     David Lynn Groen was born August 17, 1950 at his parents’ home in rural Grant Township, Lyon County, Iowa, the son of George O. and Frances (Krull) Groen. He was raised on the family farm near Little Rock and graduated from Little Rock High School in 1968. After his education he remained living at home. He worked at the cement plant in Sibley but also continued to help on the farm.

    When Dave was 18 or 19 years old, he really liked speed. Many people remember his yellow 1969 Roadrunner. He had lots of fun with that car.

     Dave was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1970. He served his country from June to November of 1970 when his dad died at the age of 50. Dave was discharged and returned home to help his family with the farm.

     Dave was united in marriage to Carol Thiesse on December 17, 1971, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. They were blessed with 48 years of marriage and two daughters, Althea and Tiffany. They lived by Little Rock and Rock Rapids most of their marriage. They also lived by Mina Lake, SD and Plymouth, WI in the early 80s.

     Dave farmed for a number of years. He enjoyed milking cows and did that for many years. He also worked at Sudenga Industries for a short time and for K&O Manufacturing for 13 years. In 2006 he retired from working due to failing health.

     He was a member of First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, IA and was very active with The Lucky Horseshoe 4-H Club, volunteering as a co-leader when Tiffany was in 4-H. He also enjoyed being a ring man at the 4-H horse shows for many years.

     Dave grew up around horses and enjoyed riding them. He watched his dad and grandpa Groen break horses to drive and later helped them break horses to ride. Dave’s daughters and granddaughter have special memories of all the many hours he spent with them teaching them how to ride and show horses. He enjoyed taking Althea and Tiffany to horse shows as a family and he thoroughly enjoyed watching his granddaughter, McKenna show horses at the Lyon County Fair. He was very proud to pass on the love for horses to his daughters and granddaughter.

    Dave also played competitive fast pitch softball for many years, where he enjoyed pitching and playing outfield. Later in life he spent many hours sitting on a 5-gallon bucket as his daughter Tiffany practiced pitching and he attended as many games as possible.

    As a father, Dave was happy his daughters married men who love them and take care of them. When Althea was sick for several months with Guillain-Barré syndrome, her husband, Kyle did everything he could to be there for her and still work and keep things going at home for McKenna. No one could question his love for Althea. Dave’s one last wish was that he could see Tiffany marry someone who would love her and take care of her, and that he would be able to walk her down the aisle. That wish came true on his 69^th birthday, August 17, 2019, when Tiffany married Joseph Clark.

   Dave battled fibromyalgia since 1987 and more recently COPD. When Dave was hospitalized in March of 2020, the COVID-19 epidemic was going on and Sanford Hospital had a policy of no visitors. This was extremely difficult for Dave’s family and him. The only forms of communication were over the phone, Facetime and Echo and they were not the same as being able to visit him, to touch him, to encourage him and let him know how much they loved him face-to-face.

   Dave was a quiet man, but when he spoke, he was deeply thoughtful and kind. His quiet leadership will be missed by his loved ones. He was very proud of Althea and Tiffany and his granddaughter McKenna was very special to Papa. Dave was especially thankful for the blessing of his two sons-in-law, Kyle and Joey. Even when Dave’s health was failing, he was able to be a pillar of strength for Carol.

   Dave’s faith in God went very deep. He believed in Jesus Christ and accepted him as his personal Savior. This is the one thing that gives his family peace today.

   Dave is survived by the love of his life, Carol Groen of Little Rock, IA; two daughters, Althea (husband, Kyle) Hooyer of Rock Rapids, IA and Tiffany (husband, Joseph) Clark of Howard, SD; two grandchildren, McKenna Hooyer of Rock Rapids and Austin DeBoer of Escondido, CA; sister, Kris Grave of George, IA; sister-in-law, Sandi Groen of Little Rock, IA; and several other extended family.

  He was preceded in death by his parents, George O. and Frances Groen; brother, Gerald Groen; and two great-nieces, Peyton Block and Kamden Fisher.