Wanita Groskreutz

Wanita Alvina Groskreutz, age 88, of Waseca passed away on Saturday April 6, 2024 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, MN.  She was born on July 31, 1935 to Arno and Alvina (Detjen) Gilster at Immanuel Hospital in Mankato, MN.  As the oldest of seven children she grew up on the family dairy farm west of Waldorf, MN.  This is where she developed her love for family, faith, music, strong work ethics and community connection.  She graduated from Waldorf High School in 1953.

As a teenager Wantia met Frank, her classmate’s brother, at a roller skating event.  They had their first date on Valentines Day in 1951.  This was the beginning of their love story.  They enjoyed roller skating together and could even waltz on their skates.  On April 25, 1954 Wanita and Frank T. Groskreutz were united in marriage at First Lutheran Church of Waldorf, MN.  Their marriage was blessed with five children: Charles, Duane, Cindy, Danny, and Christine.

Wanita had great organizational skills and kept the house running smoothly in addition to working outside the home.  While the children were young they moved the family to Waseca, MN.  Wanita worked at Waseca Ben Franklin, was a bookkeeper for Seewald Service and Ambulance, and various businesses over the years.  Her outgoing personality was well suited for her position as the Welcome Wagon Lady; where she visited new member to Waseca and brought them a welcome gift from the local business community.

Wanita created an inviting home and loved to entertain family and friends.  “The coffee pot was always on” and there were always homemade desserts to enjoy.  She loved planning and hosting family holidays and family reunions, decorating for each season and holiday, and never missed sending a card for birthdays and anniversaries.  Her favorite holiday was Christmas; celebrating with family reading the Christmas story from the Bible and singing Christmas Carols.

Wanita and Frank enjoyed many activities together.  They shared a strong faith.  In recent years they shared fellowship with a group of friends from their church.  Wanita volunteered as a Sunday School teacher, release time teacher and in the kitchen serving at church functions.  She and Frank also enjoyed dancing and danced beautifully together.  They continued to dance on Saturday evening in their living room up until within a month of her passing.  They enjoyed many camping trips; at first with the children and later years they had many adventures and traveled all over the US with their camper.  Together Wanita and Frank renovated every home they lived in.  She was so looking forward to celebrating her and Frank’s 70th wedding anniversary which would have been April 25th.

Many in the community had their wedding cakes or special occasion cakes baked and decorated by Wanita.  Some will remember her for the apple pies, apple bars, apple sauce or jellies she and Frank prepared for the local Farmers Market.  And others will remember her as an election judge for the Wilton Township.  We will remember her beautiful blue eyes, her smile, and the love and lessons she shared with each of us.

Wanita is preceded in death by her parents Alvina and Arno Gilster, brother Dan Gilster, sister Janice Samaraka, brothers-in-law Nick Samaraka and LeRoy Webber, sister-in-law Violet Gilster,  father and mother-in-law Frank and Esther Groskreutz, Brother-in-law and sister-in-law: William (Sr.) & Lois Groskreutz, Paul (Sr.) & Mary Groskreutz, Benjamin Groskreutz, Harlan Schultz, and Gladean Groskreutz.

Wanita is survived by her loving husband Frank, sons Charles of Cameron, WI, Duane (Kim) of Waseca, Danny (Kimbie) of Waseca, daughters Cindy Larson of Janesville, MN, and Christine Suby of Rochester, MN.  Grandchildren: Aaron (Missy), Julie, Lee Groskreutz, Jennifer (John) Woods, Charles Larson, Sr., Reid (Nicole) Groskreutz, Kyra (Mike) Reinsbach, Kale Groskreutz, Joshua (Roxanne) Suby, Matthew (Carrie) Suby, and Andrew (Megan) Suby.  Twenty great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.  Siblings: Alvin Gilster, John Gilster, Judy Webber, and Larry (Sue) Gilster.  In-laws: Florence Gilster, Anna Louise (Roger) Hodgkins, David (Linda) Groskreutz, Jeanette (Dale) Matheson, Gene Groskreutz and many nieces and nephew and friends.

The family would like to express a special thank you for the care Wanita received from the staff at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.

Visitation was held on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at the State Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service. 

Funeral Service was on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wilton Township, Waseca County. Interment will be on a later date at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston. 

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to donors choice. 

DSOFuneral.com