Leonard Wayne Grotewold

Leonard W. Grotewold, age 83, of Larchwood, IA, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

Visitation will be on Friday, September 5th, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with the family present, at the United Church of Christ in Larchwood, IA. There will be a prayer service at 7:00 PM.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 6th, at the United Church of Christ in Larchwood, IA, with Rev. Tim Voigt officiating. Burial will follow at Larchwood Cemetery, with military honors by the Flessner American Legion Post No. 561 and the U. S. Army National Guard.

In lieu of flowers, Grotewold family asks that memorials be designated to Lyon County Conservation or Larchwood United Church of Christ.

LeRoy and Pearl Marie Grotewold (McMonagle) welcomed Leonard into the world on August 13, 1942, in rural Larchwood. Young Leonard attended country school Sioux #1 until the eighth grade and completed his secondary education at West Lyon North High School. Graduating in 1960, he went on to enlist in the United States Army. As a private, he was involved with transport services and earned an honorable discharge in 1966. After that, Leonard returned home to farm with his parents. He bought the family farm in the 1970’s and went to work full time for Grand Labs in Larchwood in the 1980’s, remaining at the company through its ownership transition to Novartis, from which he fully retired in 2008.

A fisherman and explorer, Leonard loved the outdoors so much that he had a dug-out built on the farm. His passion for nature was evident in his membership and dedication to Lyon County Conservation and the development of Lake Pahoja, and markers bearing his name line the walking path around the lake. An enthusiastic volunteer photographer, Leonard was eager to share his photos of all the events he attended and was especially excited about the many events and special moments he captured at the lake.

American Legion Post #561 counted on Leonard to sell event tickets and happily take his shift at fundraisers and other gatherings, and he was proud to carry the flag or ride the float in representation of his post at area parades and celebrations.

A lover of reading and gifted at retaining facts and statistics, Leonard was one of a few like-minded people who comprised the Lyon County Historical Society. He very much looked forward to tours and outings with this group that worked hard to chronicle and record the history of Lyon County and its residents.

Leonard was a faithful and lifelong member of Larchwood’s Congregational Church, now Larchwood United Church of Christ. His church family will forever hold memories of him shoveling the snow from the sidewalks, happily taking part in potluck meals and events, and fervently lifting his voice to hymns from his comfortable spot toward the back of the church. Those who knew Leonard came to appreciate a lengthy tale at each encounter, as he had a legendary talent for telling stories and historical accounts. He was fascinated by weather and loved to follow precipitation levels and jot them down daily in records that he kept at his home.

In the later part of his life, Leonard rented his farmland to Dan Funke, a young local farmer. With his heart still very much in farming, Leonard was an advocate for the growing livestock and forage operation as evidenced by his daily presence and inclusion in all their endeavors. Thus, he became like an uncle to the Funke family, and they became family to him.

Leonard will be sadly missed by his sisters Leota Redenius, Hartford, SD, Lorna Stevens, Larchwood, IA, Irene Kueter, Humboldt, SD, and Colleen (Marvin) DeLong, Tea, SD; nieces and nephews Gaylamae Sturdy, Delbert Grotewold, Kristine Vialpando, Lorie Stevens, Lisa Stevens, Tim Kueter, Mark Kueter, Kevin Kueter, Brian Kueter, Dean Kueter, Julie Sutton, Leslie Kueter, Theresa Vanlaar, and James DeLong; and many great nieces and nephews; and countless friends he made during his lifetime.

Also mourning Leonard’s passing and are honored to have shared in his life are the family he “adopted”: Dan and Jill Funke of Larchwood, IA, and their daughters Abigail Bruggeman of Austin, TX, and Lindsey Funke of Kansas City, KS.

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents, brother Royce Grotewold, sister-in-law Gayle Grotewold, brothers-in-law Charles Coles, Joe Redenius, Joel Stevens, and Robert Kueter, and nephew Todd Kueter.