Gwendolyn ‘Gwen’ Groninga

Gwendolyn "Gwen" Groninga, 97, passed away Friday, June 9, 2023. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, June 15, 2023 United Reformed Church in Wellsburg. Visitation will be 9:30 a.m. until the time of the services at the church. Interment will follow the funeral services at Shiloh Cemetery in Wellsburg. Anderson Funeral Homes in Conrad has been entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonfhs.com.

Gwen was born the daughter of Albert and Viola (Eberline) Ross on January 1, 1926 in Steamboat Rock. She graduated high school in 1944 and five days later on May 17, 1944, she was united in marriage to Virgil Groninga at the parsonage of the Second Christian Reformed Church. They made their home on the family farm north of Wellsburg. The house burned down in 1961 and then they moved into Wellsburg.

Gwen loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed talking to people and never met a stranger. She always had a smile on her face and always found the good in everyone. One of her favorite things to do was give family and friends her famous “wink.” She loved dogs, flowers, getting her hair done, doing crossword puzzles, and singing. Gwen worked at the restaurant in Wellsburg for many years and enjoyed meeting new people. She quickly became friends with the new people she met. Gwen adored her grandchildren and always had to give them smooches. She was a great cook and loved cooking for her family and friends. One of her specialties was fried noodles. She was an avid Iowa State Cyclone fan and loved watching college basketball.

Survivors left to cherish Gwen’s memory are three sons; Randall Groninga, Rick (Ginny) Groninga and Troy (Maria) Groninga all of Wellsburg, two daughters; Barbara Gilliam of Des Moines and Rosemary (Wade) Gethmann of Hubbard, eight grandchildren; Shane Gilliam, Shannon (Chuck) Marasco, Natalie Osore, Logan (Haley) Gethmann, Wyatt Gethmann, Kiley (Ryley) Schipper, Tyler Groninga, Alana Groninga, four step grandchildren; Derek (Shannon) Haupt, Nick Haupt, Michael (April) Haupt, Bryan Haupt, ten great grandchildren; Mandi, Blake, Joey, Olivia, Mya, Maddox, Ivy, Rhys, Leytyn, Teytum, four step great grandchildren; Hannah, Caleb, Alexa, Talea, and one great great grandchild; Gracie.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her stepmom Jennie, her husband Virgil, son in law Bob Gilliam, daughter in law Rhonda Groninga, sister Viv and brother Russell.

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