Erwin Groth, 93, of West Point NE

Erwin Groth, age 93, of West Point, NE passed away on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at Premier Estates of West Point. Funeral services will be on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Minnick Funeral Home with burial in the Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday, August 17th from 5:00 -8:00 p.m. with family present. Pastor Steve Hoden of Salem Covenant of rural Oakland is officiating. Memorial are suggested to the West Point Fire Department or the Cuming Co. Fair Foundation in Erwin’s name for improved handicap accessibility. Arrangements by Minnick Funeral Home in West Point.

Erwin Groth was born on August 25, 1921 on the farm northeast of West Point to Bill and Minnie (Wickert) Groth. He would have been 94 in a couple of weeks. Erwin attended Cuming Co. Rural School through the 8th grade. He entered the Army on September 13, 1946 at Ft. Crook, NE as a truck driver. He was honorably discharged April 27, 1947 and received the World War II Victory Medal.

Erwin married Ruth Grunke, an avid bowler he met at his bowling alley, on June 15, 1952. He was engaged in farming and trucking. Four children were born to this union.

In 1963, Erwin lost both arms in a farm accident. He learned to persevere through using prosthetic hooks and could do just about anything except put on his socks. He never used this accident as a handicap, although he was classified as 100% disabled.

One of his great passions was the West Point Fire Department and continued to serve on the department after the accident. He had served for over 50 years and for some of that time with two of his sons, Jim and Scott.

In their retirement years, Erwin and Ruth enjoyed attending sporting events of all kinds. They loved Nebraska Cornhusker football, attending games when they could and never missed a game on the television.

Erwin is survived by sons, Jim (wife Marilee) of Oakland; Scott Groth of West Point; Stan (wife Jean) of Pilger; and daughter Mary Groth of Ashland City, TN. He has two grandchildren, Tyler Groth of Lincoln and Emilee Groth of Norfolk, along with three nephews and two nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Ruth, in 2002, brother-in-law-Warren Grunke, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Clinton and Ardene Grunke, and a nephew Richard Grunke.

Erwin Groth