Donald Francis Groene, Sr.

Groene, Donald Francis, Sr., baptized into the hope of Christ's resurrection, Thursday, January 8, 2026.

Beloved husband for 61 years of Shirley Jean (Bell); dearest father of Donald Jr., Carolyn (Jerry) Klenke, Stephen (Beth) Groene and Patricia (Thomas) Williams; loving grandfather of Ashleigh (Casey) Williams, Kimberly (Josh) Moore, Maggie (Jared) Moleski, Kelvin (Emily) Klenke, Alyssa (Collin) Haney, Phillip (Connor) Klenke and Hannah (Cole) Williams dear great grandfather of Grayson Moore, Owen Klenke, Carson Haney, Emma Moore, Miley Klenke, Maxwell Haney, Callie Moore and Jamieson Klenke; dear uncle and friend of many.

Don joined the US Navy Reserves in 1952 at the age of 18. Don and Shirley were married May 25, 1957. His squadron was activated in 1961 and sent to Sand Point Naval Air Station in Seattle, Washington. Don and Shirley moved there with two young children for a year before returning to St. Louis to have two more children and continue his 30+ year engineering career with McDonnell Douglas.

Don was also an accomplished carpenter who helped build houses as a young man. He continued to work construction projects with his brother into his 70’s.

Don’s Catholic faith was very important to him his entire life. He and Shirley made it a priority to send their kids to Catholic grade school and high school. No matter where the family was on a Sunday morning, even camping 20 miles from the nearest town, Don and Shirley made every effort to find a Catholic church and attend mass. Don continued to attend mass nearly every day into his final months.

Don and family took many trips to Colorado, hiking, camping, golfing, hunting, fishing and visiting family in Monte Vista, Creede and Grand Junction. Don and Shirley learned to ski in their 50s and skied for many years with family and friends.

Don and Shirley traveled across country via train with their kids and grandkids, including train trips to New Mexico, Nevada and Montana. They were always willing and interested in traveling whenever they could get family to join. Family joined often!

Closer to home, Don and family enjoyed float-trips on many Missouri rivers, camping at the end of the long days of paddling and swimming. Don also loved visiting the Lake of the Ozarks to spend time with his brother and extended family.

Don had lifelong hunting and fishing buddies, some he met while in grade school. Later in life, Don had an opportunity to golf more often and he never stopped, even golfing into his 90th year. He was fortunate to have a great group of guys to golf with from the parish food pantry and he played many courses throughout the St. Louis region.

In addition to golf, Don enjoyed bowling, playing volleyball and softball, and throwing horseshoes with his coworkers at McDonnell Douglas, his family and friends. He also played a lot of cards and played scrabble into his final weeks.

Services:  Memorial Mass at Ascension Catholic Church, 230 Santa Maria Drive, Chesterfield, Saturday, January 24, at 10:00 a.m. Donald's remains were donated to St. Louis University School of Medicine. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Nicholas Food Pantry, 701 North 18th Street, St. Louis, MO 63103.

As a service of the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.