Shirley Groskreutz

Shirley Ann Groskreutz, 76 year old resident of Waldorf, died peacefully on Thursday afternoon, February 15, 2018, at her home with her family by her side.

Shirleys Final Recital will be 10:30 am on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, at Vista Evangelical Covenant Church in New Richland. Interment will be in St. Pauls Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Vivian Township. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm 7:00 pm on Monday, February 19, 2018 at Starkson & Steffel Funeral Home ~ Arnoldt Chapel of Janesville. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

Arrangements are with Starkson & Steffel Funeral & Cremation Service ~ Arnoldt Chapel of Janesville. www.janesvillefuneral.com

Shirley Ann Groskreutz was born on March 18, 1941 in Waseca, Minnesota to William Carl and Leona (Santo) Westphal. She grew up on the family farm south of Janesville and graduated from Janesville High School in 1959 where she was active in choir and wrote for the school paper.

Shirley met the love of her life, Alvin Groskreutz, at a dance at the Kato Ballroom. Music was a big part of what drew them together. They were united in marriage on September 10, 1959, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville. Together they raised their family on the Groskreutz family farm and for a brief time in Janesville. Shirley began giving music lessons in high school and continued to do so throughout her life. Shirley taught over 1,000 students throughout her career and was well-pleased with all of them and their accomplishments. Her students did not just see Shirley as their music teacher, but also as a mentor, confidant, and a friend.

Shirley loved Jesus and was always eager to share Jesus with others. She enjoyed fishing, having started with her Dad, and motorcycle trips with Alvin. She also enjoyed growing vegetables and flowers, but her true loves were her faith, family, and music. She was a volunteer on the KJLY radio Prayer Line for many years, and played music at various churches, nursing homes, town festivals and parades, many times with Alvin, her children and grandchildren. Shirley always cherished the time she spent with her husband, children, and grandchildren.

After 58 wonderful years of marriage, Shirley lost her best friend, Alvin on January 8, 2018. They shared many great years together and after just six weeks of Alvins passing, they are united again in heaven. They both will be dearly missed.

Shirley is survived by her two sons: Daniel (Susan) of Altoona, WI and their children: Casey and Margot; and Joel (Renae) of Waldorf and their children: Amanda (Charlie) Graham, Ben and Anna Groskreutz; great grandson, Louis Graham; sisters-in-law: Adeline Buss of Elysian and Leona Quast of Waseca; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, three children in infancy: Tamala, Ronald and Wesley, a granddaughter, Emily and her four siblings and their spouses.