Willard Groebner

Northview - North Mankato Mortuary
2060 Commerce Drive
North Mankato, MN 56003
507-388-2288

Butch Groebner, age 68, of Mankato, died Monday, April 16, 2012 at his home in Mankato, surrounded by his family.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 19, 2012 at Hosanna Lutheran Church in Mankato. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 18 at NORTHVIEW, North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Dr., North Mankato, and will continue one hour prior to the service at church Thursday.

Willard Charles Groebner was born October 30, 1943 in Minneapolis, MN to Willard and Leora (Seesz) Groebner. He married Janet L. Luegge on November 24, 1964 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Mankato. Butch drove over the road trucking for 23 years, including owning and operating B&N Trucking. He also was a salesman for Clement's Auto for 20 years before retiring in 2008. He was a member of Hosanna Lutheran Church. He enjoyed camping (and telling campfire stories), traveling in his motor home, fishing, golfing, and coloring with his grandchildren. Butch was loved and adored by many, and was "grandpa" to every child who knew him.

Butch is survived by his wife, Janet of Mankato; five children, Dewey of Plano, TX, Jeff (Jenny) of Eagan, Rhonda Groebner of Eagan, John (Kathy) of Clayton, CA, Ashley (Rachel) of Elysian; 12 grandchildren, Faith, Summer, Josh, Jacob, Jake, Savanha, Nolan, Katie Grace, Elijah, Olivia, Avery, and Mallory; three great-grandkids, Nicholas, McKayla, and Jaden; mother, Leora Groebner of Mankato; three brothers, Jerry (Marie) of Madison Lake, Dave (Kris) of Madison Lake, Danny of North Mankato; and many nieces and nephews.

Butch was preceded in death by his father, Willard; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ervin and Leona Luegge; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Judy and Neil Wetzel; sister-in-law, Tammy Luegge; and brother-in-law, Denny Jordan.