Russel William Groen

Russel W. Groen, age 68, of Blue Earth, formerly of Elmore, died Tuesday, March 15, 2011, at Fairmont Medical Center following a struggle with cancer. A memorial gathering to celebrate his life will be held from 2:00 to 5:00 PM on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at Patton Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 400 E. 14th Street in Blue Earth. Web tributes may be left at www.pattonfh.com. Expressions of sympathy are preferred in the form of memorial donations to United Hands Hospice.Russel was born February 2, 1943, in Buffalo Center, Iowa, the son of William and Pauline (Schaumburg) Groen. He was raised and educated in Elmore, MN where he was a 1961 graduate of Elmore High School. He attended Mankato Technical College before entering the U.S. Army in 1964. He served in Korea in the DMZ (De-Militarized Zone) during the Vietnam Conflict. He returned to Blue Earth in 1966 where he began to work for Telex in the stockroom. He was married to LuEtta Luch Bruegger on August 31, 1979 in Minnesota Lake, MN. Russel worked his way to Production Manager at Telex during his 36 year career, retiring in 2003. He was a life member of the American Legion Post 89 of Blue Earth and enjoyed woodworking, fishing, gardening and traveling.Russel is survived by his wife, LuEtta Luch Groen of Blue Earth, his sister, Roselyn (David) Kiekow of Blue Earth, his brother in law, Armin (Maxine) Bruegger of Columbia Heights, his brother in law, Robert (Sandy) Bruegger of Wells, his sisters-in-law: LeAnna (Jim) Nelson of Minnesota Lake, LaDonna (Diek) Elliot of New Hardford, New York, Marcia (Earl) Hull of Minnesota Lake, four nieces and six nephews: Troy Kiekow, Marla (Bret) Hueper, Clint (Lisa) Nelson, Amy Bruegger, Trent Bruegger, Bill Elliot, Chris (Amy) Hull, Jenn (Nick) Banks, Mike (Julie) Bruegger, Michelle (Mike) Bammert, twelve great nieces & nephews: Stephanie Kiekow, Monica Kiekow, Ben Hueper, Shelby Hueper, T.J, Taz, Slater, & Jaycie Nelson, Aaron Hull, Bryce & Brandon Banks, Alivia Bruegger, and one great-great nephew, Royal Sage Kipper.He was preceded in death by his parents, father & mother-in-law: Armin & Gladys Bruegger and a great nephew, Zachary Hull.