Fern Groethe

Fern E. Groethe, 80, formely of the Hatton area, passed away on Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at Good Shephard Nursing Home, Sauk Rapids, MN. Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 31, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at the Hatton Prairie Village Chapel, Hatton, ND. Burial in the Bruflat Cemetery, Portland, ND.

Fern Elizabeth Tollefson was born February 21, 1931, to Tom and Alice (Eide) Tollefson at Hatton, ND. She attended Oak Grove High School in Fargo, ND and Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.

On February 10, 1951, she married Paul Groethe. They lived the majority of their lives in Long Prairie, MN and St. Cloud, MN.

Her faith in Christ was always central to her life. She had a calling to reach out to those in need. Fern volunteered at the girl's home in Sauk Center as well as the Long Prairie Hospital. She loved collecting antiques and vintage clothing throughout her lifetime. In 1973, he appeared on the TV show "What's My Line?" in New York.

Survivors include her daughter, Pam Groethe, Sauk Rapids, MN; sons: Mitch Groethe, Perham, MN, Craig (Vicky) Groethe, St. Cloud, MN, and Kent (Kay) Groethe, Dodge City, KS' son-in-law, Leo Ostendorf, Moorhead, MN; fourteen grandchildren; six great grandchildren; brother, Clark (Clary) Tollefson, Brainerd, MN; and sister, Diane (Paul) Thompson, Surprise, AZ.

Preceding her in death were her parents; daughter, Dawn Ostendorf and brother, Don Tollefson.

(Bilden Funeral Home, Hatton and Northwood, ND)