Joanne M. (Engebretson) Groettum

Wednesday, July 15, 2015 5:05 pm

Joanne M. (Engebretson) Groettum, 80, of Edina, Minn. and formerly of Decorah, died Wednesday, July 8, 2015, at Meadow Woods Memory Care in Bloomington, Minn. Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Monday, July 13, at Burr Oak Lutheran Church in Burr Oak, with Pastor Matt Larson officiating. Burial was in Burr Oak Cemetery. Visitation began at 10 a.m. Monday, one hour before the service, at Burr Oak Lutheran Church. Memorials may be given to the Burr Oak Cemetery Fund, c/o Fjelstul Funeral Home, 306 East Water Street, Decorah, IA  52101 or to the Fairview Hospice, c/o Fairview Foundation, 2344 Energy Park Drive, St. Paul, MN 55108. Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah served the family. Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com. Organist was Renae McIntosh. Soloist was Eric Ellingsen (“My Life Flows On In Endless Song” and “In the Garden”). Congregational hymns were “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,” “Oh God, Our Help In Ages Past” and “Shall We Gather At the River.” Casket bearers were her nieces and nephews. Honorary bearers were Donald Leistikow, Norman Leistikow, Loren Evenrud, Charles Casterton, Randy Patterson, Dean Underbakke and Jerry Risdahl. Interment was at Burr Oak Cemetery.
Joanne Marie (Leistikow) Engebretson Groettum was born June 2, 1935, at home in Hesper Township, Winneshiek County, the daughter of George Louis Carl and Minnie (Nelson) Leistikow. She was baptized July 14, 1935, at Fremont Lutheran Church in rural Cresco, and confirmed May 9, 1948, at Burr Oak Lutheran Church in Burr Oak. She graduated from Decorah High School with the class of 1953. Joanne then attended Luther College for two years, where she received her teaching certificate. She sang in the Nordic Choir at Luther. Joanne was united in marriage to Conrad O. Engebretson Aug. 7, 1955, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove, Minn. This union was blessed with three children: Kathryn Joanne, Thomas Conrad and Maria Louise. They were later divorced. She later married Rev. Herbert Q. Groettum Aug. 15, 1999 in Edina, Minn. After graduating from Luther, she taught elementary school in Decorah for two years before staying at home to raise her family. Joanne taught piano in her home in Minneapolis for 18 years and then worked for Fairview Senior Services as a program coordinator, helping patients with Alzheimer’s disease and their families. She was a member of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Edina, Minn. Her family was a very important part of her life. She loved her garden, was an excellent cook and loved to bake, especially oatmeal raisin cookies. Music always was a special part of her life, and even in declining health and her final days, music brought her comfort. She is coming home to Burr Oak, where her faith and love of family was instilled in her by her parents.
Joanne is survived by two children, Tom (Marcy) Engebretson of South Haven, Minn. and Maria Engebretson (Bob Kelly, significant other) of Edina, Minn.; three grandchildren: Michael Engebretson, Ellen Engebretson (fiance` Ryan Freeman) and Emma Engebretson; two brothers, Donald (Joanne) Leistikow of Decorah and Norman (Marty) Leistikow of Park Rapids, Minn.; three sisters: Carole (Loren) Evenrud of Cannon Falls, Minn., Mary (Charles) Casterton and Doris (Randy) Patterson of Decorah; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Kathryn, Feb. 10, 2005; a granddaughter, Erin Marie, Dec. 23, 1988; her second husband, Herbert, June 16, 2006; and by one nephew, Randy Leistikow, Oct. 6, 1990.
Joanne’s family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff and caregivers at Meadow Woods Memory Care and Fairview Hospice. Memorials may be given to the Burr Oak Cemetery Fund, c/o Fjelstul Funeral Home, 306 East Water Street, Decorah, IA  52101 or to the Fairview Hospice, c/o Fairview Foundation, 2344 Energy Park Drive, St. Paul, MN 55108.