Bennie C. Groen

Bennie Cornelius Groen was born March 17, 1937, in Renville County, Minnesota, to Cornelius and Fanny (Ryks) Groen. He was baptized on April 18, 1937, and later confirmed in his faith on March 27, 1955, both at the Emden Christian Reformed Church in Renville. Bennie grew up on the family farm, attending country school and later graduated from Renville High School with the Class of 1955.
Bennie’s first job was at VSC where he met Sondra Aeikens. On August 1, 1958, Bennie was united in marriage to Sondra at the Bethany Reformed Church in Clara City. The couple made their home in Clara City and were blessed with six children, Diane, Glenda, Sheila, Jeanine, Kevin and Jason.
Bennie was a rural mail carrier for many years, sold snowmobiles for a time and also helped out some local farmers. He was a faithful member of Bethany Reformed Church and served as a deacon and elder as well as other areas.
Family was the most important thing to Bennie. He loved the outdoors, deer hunting, feeding the birds and many memories were made at their cabin on Lake Florida around a campfire. Bennie always had time for others and would go out of his way to visit.
Bennie is survived by his wife, Sondra; children, Diane (Curt) Meints of New London, Glenda (Mike) Abraham of Maynard, Sheila (Elmer) Thompson of Ortonville, Jeanine (Rod) Tebben of Alexandria, Kevin (LeAnn) Groen of Clara City, Jason Groen of Clara City; grandchildren, Jamie (Jeff) Fernholz, Jenny (Clint) Schwitters, Ryan (Nicole) Meints, Cody Abraham (special friend, Brooke Luepke), Dylan Abraham, Shane Thompson (special friend, Taylor Dobbs), RaeAnn Thompson (fiancé, Levi Lupkes), Riley Thompson (special friend, Jamie Gulley), Kayla (Nick) Niemann, Mitch Tebben (fiancée, Chelsea St. Marie), Amber (Anthony) Lipetzky, Craig Groen, Levi Groen, Kali Groen (special friend, Ross Bjerkeset); great grandchildren, Kenzie Fernholz, Brooklyn Fernholz, Jayce Fernholz, Kaley Schwitters, Kelsey Schwitters, Connor Schwitters, Caden Meints, Logan Meints, Hunter Dobbs, Peyton Thompson, Benten Thompson; sister, Donna Hillenbrand of Willmar; brothers, John B. “Bud” (Joan) Groen of Lake Lillian, Harold (Norma) Groen of Renville, Jerry (Lynnetta) Groen of Spicer, Cornie (Jolene) Groen of Renville; beloved canine child, Mitzi.
Bennie is preceded in death by his parents, Cornelius and Fanny Groen; sister, Connie Groen; father and mother-in-law, Dick and Mabel Aeikens; brother-in-law, LuVerne Hillenbrand; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Wanda (Arthur) Larson.