Steven Robert Groskreutz

A Celebration of Life will be at 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Litchfield for Steven Robert Groskreutz, age 58, who passed away at Meeker Memorial Hospital in Litchfield. Pastor Jay Panning will officiate, and burial will be at Ripley Cemetery in Litchfield. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Monday, May 19, 2025, at Johnson Hagglund Funeral Home in Litchfield and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

Steven was born on April 12, 1967, to Robert and Arlene (Alsleben) Groskreutz, three months prematurely. At birth he weighed in at 2 pounds 7 ounces and was immediately baptized by Dr. Grant Greibe at the Hutchinson hospital. He was diagnosed with quadriplegic cerebral palsy at eight months old and given a life expectancy of no more than five years. He proved them wrong by outliving expectations by 53 years due primarily to the care and love he received from his family, especially his loving and devoted parents. He participated in commencement service at Litchfield High School with the class of 1988 at the age of 21. After graduation Steve attended ProWorks for 37 years and loved every day of it. ProWorks provides adult day training and habilitation services to every person that may be challenged by limitations of body and/or mind. Steve lived all of his life in Litchfield, had a strong faith, and loved his church community at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Steven enjoyed attending church services and Jesus Cares, a Sunday school program for people with special needs. He enjoyed being outside, pontoon and boat rides, going for walks, listening to classic country and old time music, camping with his family, and simply watching people and cars pass by. Steve also had a sweet tooth with a love for dessert, Hershey’s candy bars, and M & M’s. His eyes would light up at the sight of them. He loved going to watch the Minnesota Twins and attending his nieces and nephews sporting events. Steven had a contagious laugh and smile and eyes that could tell you what his voice could not. He brought joy to everyone he met and always remembered them with a smile no matter how many years had passed. Steven always had to give his family kisses, not just one, but two. He will be truly missed by all who knew him. His family finds comfort knowing he is now at peace in Heaven, able to do the things he could not do here on Earth.

Steven is survived by his mother, Arlene Groskreutz of Litchfield; siblings, Stanton (Mary) Groskreutz of Clear Lake, Stuart (Sarah) Groskreutz of Stillwater, and Stefany Groskreutz of Litchfield; nieces and nephews, Ryan Groskreutz, Taylor Draeger, Alex Draeger, Joshua Groskreutz, Allison Groskreutz, and Griffin Butler; honorary brother, Bob (Shannon) Dibb of Grand Rapids; many aunts, uncles, great aunts, great uncles, and cousins; and his dogs, Teddy and Pumpkin. He was preceded in death by his dad, Robert (Bob) Groskreutz; maternal grandparents, Ernest and Lorene Alsleben; paternal grandparents, Ray, Sr. and Helen Groskreutz; and bonus grandparents, Jack and Fern Groskreutz.

Special thanks to Dr. Bulau and all the nurses at Meeker Memorial Hospital, his family at ProWorks, and the staff at Multi Community Care and Homes (MCCH, formerly Meeker County Community Homes) for all of their kindness and care.

In honor of Steven, the family encourages everyone in attendance to the service or visitation to wear something fun, bright, or Hawaiian to remember Steve’s fashion preferences and to celebrate his new life in Heaven.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to ProWorks in Litchfield, Multi Community Care and Homes (MCCH) in Litchfield, and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.