Kathryn Groethe

At nightfall on June 16, 2022, Kathy Groethe died peacefully at the age of 93. Born to Emil and Coco Skerik, she was raised in northern Minnesota and received a bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University, where she met her husband Alfred. After devoting herself to raising six children, she taught home economics skills to visually impaired students at Northcentral Technical College. Kathy’s tireless energy reminded her family of the cobbler’s elves, who made shoes at night while the cobbler slept. Her family came to know Kathy’s elfin magic, waking up in the morning to find newly-sewn dresses or freshly-baked kringle. Kathy’s well-honed sense of hospitality always included generous portions of wonderful food. Sharing food was her way of expressing love for all who sat at her table, including both long-time friends and new faces. She enjoyed learning new things at Garden Club, Antique Club, and Sons of Norway. Kathy was an enthusiastic gardener with a soft spot for struggling plants. Her interest in refinishing antique furniture led her to learn how to cane chairs and practice the rosemaling style of decorative painting. She loved travel. She read about it, dreamed about it, and took full advantage whenever an opportunity arose. Once she had only 24 hours to explore New York City—and wore out a brand-new pair of high heels that day! She particularly enjoyed family gatherings, where the house would be overflowing and there was always food and happy noise. Kathy was active at Immanuel Lutheran Church and was blessed with many friends there. She enthusiastically participated in lefse-making for the yearly church bazaar. For decades, she could be counted on to provide dessert or a hot dish whenever a need arose. She is survived by all her children — Reed Groethe (Nancy), Susan Graf (David), Rebecca Schmitt (John), Stephen Groethe (Karen), Jeffrey Groethe, and Kristin Groethe Marsh (Neil) — as well as her seven grandchildren — Jacob Groethe, Carrie Graf (Robb St. Lawrence), Erin Graf (Darryl Brown), Erica Schmitt, Britta Schmitt, Alexander Marsh, and Oliver Marsh — and one great-grandchild, Alma Graf St. Lawrence. She was preceded in death by her parents Emil and Corrinne Skerik, her husband Alfred Groethe, her brother Richard Skerik, and her grandson Eric Groethe. A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, October 11th at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 630 Adams St., Wausau, with a visitation at 10 am and lunch at noon. Memorials are welcome and may be made to a favorite charity or an organization listed below. Immanuel Lutheran Church, 630 Adams St, Wausau WI 54403 Northcentral Technical College Foundation: Fund 0156 Al & Kathy Groethe Scholarship Endowment, 1000 W Campus Dr, Wausau WI 54401