James Orin Groe

James Orin Groe (1936 – 2025) 88 years old.
Born Dec 6th 1936 in Lake Mills, Iowa.
Died Nov 5th 2025 in Stillwater, MN
Jim grew up in Lake Mills Iowa. He went to high school there where he met his wife, Betty, of nearly 70 years. When she was around 17 years old, she ventured out to Oregon to seek a modeling career. Soon after she left, Jim jumped in his car with no money and traveled there to find her. He wrote checks from his dad's account to get back to MN.
Around 1956, they moved to the Twin Cities. Jim first went to radio school, then photography school, but finally got a job at the BN Railroad. He worked for 40 years as an accountant and the corporate photographer for the BN. His love and passion, however, was photography, freelance and weddings, making many lifetime memories for everyone he met.
Jim loved his hometown of Lake Mills and never tired of taking pictures of the town and various functions throughout the years. He had quite the archive of pictures of the town and its people. Jim had many fond memories of Lake Mills and his growing up years and always thought of it as very special. Lake Mills was always his "Mayberry" and visited quite often. He loved to visit the barber shop and the Grand Café to visit with his niece, the owner and other locals to catch up on local news (gossip).
He always liked to keep in touch with old friends and classmates, and would do so quite often by email, phone, or letter.
He loved getting people together. He was very much and extrovert, and had a great sense of humor, and loved good jokes. He always said that when he died, he wanted his tombstone to read "I told you I was sick". He also never forgot people's birthdays and would make sure he sent cards and emails to all his friends, relatives and classmates.
Although Parkinsons caused him to pivot on many of his life plans, he remained a true model of grace, good humor, optimism,
perseverance and faith.
With Betty's dedicated "care & support" he lived comfortably at home without complaint.
Jim had his famous sense of humor right up to the end.
Survived by wife Betty, daughter Kim (Keith), son Robert (Sandy) and daughter Tammy (Juan), along with 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Celebration of Life will be held at
Oakwood Funeral Home, 2585 Stillwater Road East, Maplewood, MN 55119.
Friday, November 14th, 2025, from 3:00 – 6:00 PM