Paul was born Aug. 10, 1924, on a farm north of Wells, Minn. He enlisted in the U.S. Merchant Marine, trained at Sheepshead Bay, N.Y. and served on ships in the Atlantic shipping oil from Venezuela to the states and cargo to Italy. Paul took great pride in his service and was overjoyed when the WWII Merchant Marine veterans were recognized as veterans in 1988. Upon returning from the war he married his fiancée, Gladean Giese, and began farming for 10 years near Wells. In the Merchant Marine, Paul acquired the skills that permitted him employment at Interstate Power in Albert Lea. In 1962, he helped complete the expansion of the Fox Lake power plant. He worked there until his retirement in 1986. After retirement he and his wife, Mary, enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, California and Las Vegas as well as winters in Arizona. Paul was a long-time member of St John’s Lutheran Church having taught Sunday School and Bible Study for many years. He was an early supporter of CORE, member of Sherburn City Council, and found a loving home at Temperance Lake Ridge. He is survived by his sons, Paul (Anne) of Minneapolis, Theodore (Linda) of Chaska, Steven (Cynthia) of Rochester, Douglas (Pam) of Minnetonka; nine grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; five stepdaughters, Ruth Mae Pavich of Ceylon, Judith Nielson of Fairmont, Wendy (Dennis) Beaulieu of Babbitt, Penny (Tom) Claussen of Sherburn, Sharon (Doyle) Moeller of Sherburn; eight step-grandchildren; 10 step-great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Frank (Wanita) of Waseca, Anna Louise (Roger) Hodgkins of Janesville, Jeanette (Dale) Matheson of Blue Earth, Benjamin of Wells, David (Linda) of Wells, and Gene of Dallas, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Esther Groskreutz; brother, William; stepdaughter, Linda Hoppe; and wives, Gladean Giese Groskreutz and Mary Stedman Janssen Groskreutz.

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