First Rate Care

Fred Groth

Fred was born May 25, 1944 in Racine, Wisconsin.  He is the first born child of Frederick Groth, Sr, and Albertha (Banga) Groth.  His siblings are David Groth (Deceased), Karen Groth, and Bob Groth.  

In November of 1967 Fred married Lillian Kangas.  They had met while they were both working for J.I. Case (now part of International Harvester).  They have two daughters, Tracy (Groth) Johnson, and LeAnn Groth.  Fred graduated from Gateway Technical Institute in Racine, WI, with an Associates Degree in Carpentry and Cabinetmaking.  When he finished his apprenticeship in 1977 they moved their daughters to Lillian’s home town, Wolf Lake, MN.  This is where he started his career as a Carpenter and Cabinetmaker.  His wife, Lillian, worked in the Frazee Public School District.  First as the Junior High Admin and School Board Secretary, eventually retiring as the School Nurse.

While living in Wolf Lake, Fred and Lil could often be found babysitting any number of their dozens of nieces and nephews, and/or the neighbors’ kids.  They were known for hosting Movie Nights, Hide and Seek, Game Nights, and backyard camping adventures.  Fred was also an avid fisherman, spending most Sundays on one of the nearby lakes.  His wife would join him if she was not needed as the PA for the team which almost always included a brother, nephew or cousin on the roster.
When his kids were in their teens and early twenties Fred worked for a General Contractor who built and remodeled commercial and residential buildings throughout North Dakota.  He was always coming home on the weekends.  When both daughters were living in the Twin Cities, he began working there, returning to Wolf Lake on the weekends when Lillian wouldn’t come to the Cities.

In July of 2000, Fred lost his wife, Lillian to cardiac arrest.  Shortly after this, his eldest daughter, Tracy, met and married Jamie Johnson of Fertile, MN.  Fred’s youngest daughter, LeAnn, remained in the Twin Cities.  For several years, he spent many weekends and weeks in Wolf Lake.  Often being joined by one or both daughters, but almost always with “LeAnn’s” dog, HAL. (This dog MAY have been LeAnn’s to start, but when Lil passed, HAL became Fred’s for all intents and purposes.)   In 2009 he sold his home in Wolf Lake and retired.  He then spent his time focusing on being a Grandpa in the Summer, helping out while his Son-in-Law was working full-time road construction.  

His three grandchildren are Caidyn Johnson age 20, Senior at the U of MN Twin Cities, Teegyn Johnson age 16, Sophomore at Fertile-Beltrami, and Aubryn Johnson age 14, 8th Grade at Fertile-Beltrami.  All three of them have been a focal point of his time since they were born. 

In the Winters he would live at his daughter LeAnn’s home and keep himself occupied with small projects for friends and family.  While LeAnn has no children, he was often left in charge of all the pets when LeAnn was on Business Travel, or working extra hours.   In addition he would often cook for LeAnn’s friends, hosting Grill Outs, Spaghetti dinners, and Thanksgiving meals.  (Which he would also serve on New Years Day.)

The year before COVID, Fred started having balance and neuropathy issues, causing imbalance.  Many Doctor visits later, nothing was conclusive.  At the onset of COVID, Fred and LeAnn bunkered at home in South Minneapolis.  LeAnn worked from home for Citibank and everything you could possibly need can be delivered to the door.  Tracy, who is with Norman County Public Health, and kids would switch houses with LeAnn to give everyone ample Grandpa time.  

In February of 2022, it was determined that Fred would be safer in a home with more support and we moved him to Tracy’s home in Maple Bay.  His continued decline and fall risk eventually lead to his moving to Fair Meadow.
Fred LOVES to watch movies of almost all kinds.  Military thrillers to Hallmark Holiday Classics.  He also enjoys keeping up on local news from all the places he’s lived.  From his hometown of Racine, WI to his current home in Fertile, MN.  He has a long list of friends and family that share jokes and good-finds via Email.

He is wicked good at Cribbage and enjoyed Wist, Canasta, and other card games while his wife was his partner. 

He is quick with jokes (Some good, some cringy, and some just not to be repeated.)

He is fond of making people happy, however he is able.