Oliver Groff, 99, of Tracy, passed away on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at the Prairie View Senior Living in Tracy. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 19, 2017 at Tracy Lutheran Church in Tracy. Interment was in the Tracy City Cemetery. The Life Remembrance Center of Tracy is caring for the family. Memorials preferred to Tracy Lutheran Church or Prairie View Senior Living.
Oliver “Ollie” Martin Groff was born to Ole and Mary (Skow) Groff on August 21, 1917 in rural Redwood County, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at Sundown Lutheran Church in Springfield, Minnesota. He attended public school in rural Redwood County and began farming with his father and brothers.
On September 18, 1941, Oliver was united in marriage to Edna Lorenz. They farmed in rural Delhi, Walnut Grove, Tracy and finally Vesta until his retirement when they moved to Tracy. He worked part time after his retirement at various Tracy businesses.
Oliver was an adult leader in the Springdale Climbers 4H club, active in the Lions Club and a member of Tracy Lutheran Church. He enjoyed volunteering at the Wabasso Nursing Home and Prairie View in Tracy. Ollie loved spending time with family and friends, enjoyed fishing, and had a passion for playing cards and loved to win.
He is survived by his daughters Lois (Ronald) Radke of Rochester and Sharon Petersen of Tracy; son Dean (Sandra) of Mesa, AZ; 9 grandchildren and their spouses, 30 great grandchildren and 9 great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Edna of 55 years, his parents, 11 siblings, son-in-law Gary Petersen, one grandchild, one great grandson, one great granddaughter, his mother and father-in-law and several sister and brothers-in-law.