Judith Grothe

Judith "Judy" Grothe, age 83, of Zumbrota, Minnesota passed away peacefully with family by her side on October 21, 2024. Born Judith Marie Kolar in Gales Township, Minnesota, Judy grew up in nearby Walnut Grove, graduating from Walnut Grove High School in the Class of 1959. While Judy was attending the Parisian School of Beauty Culture in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she met her future husband and favorite carpenter, Jerry Grothe, at the 1960 Valentines Day dance at the Marigold dance hall. They married on October 15, 1960 and made their home in the Wanamingo-Zumbrota, Minnesota area. Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Myrtle Kolar, her brothers, Robert and Albert Kolar, and her loving husband of 63 years, Jerry Grothe. She is survived by her children Annette (Dean) Freiheit, Gina (Steve) Abbott, James (Leah) Grothe, and Kelly (Thomas) DeVany. She is also survived by her ten grandchildren: Kate (Chris) Schroeder, Clint (Brooke) Freiheit, Sam (Autumn) Freiheit, Hunter Follen, Jack (Alison) Follen, Mackenzie Abbott, Jacob Grothe, Amanda Grothe, Sarah DeVany, and Emily DeVany. For many years, Judy owned and operated Judy's Hair Care on Main Street in Wanamingo which was in the same building as her husband's carpentry business, Jerry's Cabinet Shop. After retiring as a hair stylist, she enjoyed working part-time at Post's in Zumbrota. She also enjoyed volunteering with the Girl Scouts and at Trinity Lutheran Church/WELCA. She loved traveling with Jerry, hosting family get-togethers, flower gardening, hanging out with the Red Hats, and playing in many card clubs. She filled the family home with her beautiful knitting, sewing, quilting, and embroidery projects, and enjoyed her seasonal re-decorating with her many holiday collectibles. Judy, a devout Christian, will be remembered as a caring and supportive wife, nurturing mother, and a fun-loving goofy grandma. She loved her family and friends deeply, and will be greatly missed. Special thanks to the Zumbrota Health Services Care Center for taking such good care of Judy in her final months. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Friday, October 25, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wanamingo, Minnesota. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 pm on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, in Zumbrota, Minnesota (507-732-5444). Online condolences may be left for the family at the Mahn Family Funeral Home's website: www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.