Katherine Ann Groggel

Katherine Ann Groggel
Katherine Ann Groggel, 64, passed away on May 24, 2021 while under the care of Haven Hospice in Gainesville, Florida. She was born on April 22, 1957 to Warren and Maxine Rubin in Shelbyville, Illinois.
Kathy grew up in Ocala, FL where she attended St. John Lutheran School through high school. In 1979 she received a Bachelor's degree in Broadcasting from the University of Florida. Also in 1979 she married David Groggel, whom she met at church choir. Kathy and David spent thirty years raising their family in Oxford, Ohio where Kathy also worked as a substitute teacher and Director of Children's Ministry at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hamilton, Ohio. In 2013 they returned to Gainesville to begin retirement. Kathy most valued her faith, her family, all children, and the Florida Gators. Children were especially drawn to her as they could sense the great love she had for them. She truly utilized the gift God gave her to teach and lead youth.
Kathy is survived by her husband, David, of Gainesville, her brothers Richard Rubin and Mark Rubin, both of Ocala, daughters Heather Groggel of Madison, Alabama, and Kristin Haycock (Jordan) of Madison, Alabama, and grandchildren Noah, Micah, and Addison Haycock of Madison, Alabama. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents.
Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, June 16 at 7:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, Florida and on Saturday, July 10 at 11:00 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hamilton, Ohio.
Kathy always said the same words as she greeted the children coming forward for her children's message during Sunday morning worship. Now, for her, those words have an even more glorious meaning: "What a great day it is to be in God's house."