Walter "Walt" Irvin Groskurth

Walter "Walt" Irvin Groskurth, age 80 of Mankato passed away at home on Tuesday, December 21, 2021. Memorial service will be held at 11:30 A.M. on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at Hosanna Lutheran Church in Mankato, MN with visitation beginning at 10:00 A.M. Burial will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, MN at a later date. Livestreaming of the service will be available at https://hosannamain.online.church/ Memorials can be sent to: The Salvation Army, Hosanna Lutheran Church or Donor's Choice. Mankato Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements. 

Walt was born at home on February 10, 1941 in rural Independence, Iowa to his parents Wilhelm and Vera (Copeland) Groskurth.  He attended country school and graduated from Independence High School in 1959.  Walt enlisted in the Army and was active from 1959-1962, being stationed in Germany.  Following his honorable discharge, Walt attended Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis, MN.  He worked as a sheet metal worker for Mankato Plumbing and Heating then spent the next six years working for another company in Minneapolis until his retirement at the end of 2002.  During these years he also worked for Orient Air where he took 13 trips to France, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, Italy and South Africa delivering private planes.

Walt was an active member of the Sheet Metal Workers Union, Model T and Model A Ford Clubs, EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) and Hosanna Lutheran Church. He enjoyed traveling, flying, driving and tinkering on Model T’s and Model A’s and participating in club tours. Being with family and friends, collecting and researching genealogy and spending many hours in his shop working on various projects (old cars/planes) also brought Walt joy.  Walt was a snow bird spending his winters down south with Judy in the RV.

Walt is survived by his significant other, Judy Jellings of Mankato, sister Maxine Losen of Hazelton, IA. and brother Bill (Gwen) Groskurth of Albert Lea, MN; Judy's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Walt is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Wilhelm "Bill" and Vera Groskurth, brothers Leon and George Groskurth, sister-in-laws Dorothy and Margie Groskurth and brother-in-law Bill Losen. 

The family would like to thank St. Croix Hospice for all of their love and care.