Martha Jean Groenke, 90

Martha Jean Groenke was almost 91 when she peacefully passed “on to our Lord” with grace and dignity, as she always had in her Bigfork home, just two short years after her husband Ted of 65 years, on May 24, 2015. Martha was with her sons, grandsons, and great-grandchildren when she passed.

Martha was a whirlwind of activity around Bigfork, involved in Glacier Symphony, Community Players and the Elves. She was also president of the Junior League of Chicago, founding its Children’s Theatre in her early years. She enjoyed all these activities tremendously.

Martha was born in Canton, Ohio, on July 7, 1924, and went to school there. Martha eventually graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, as a physical therapist.

She married Ted Groenke in 1947 after graduation and very soon raised a family and started her “volunteer career.” Martha followed Ted in the love of the outdoors, skiing, golfing and watching Flathead Lake from her deck and feeding the birds. She was a regular at Bigfork community functions and particularly loved the Fourth of July parade and taking her invisible dog to hand out treats on Halloween to the children.

She will be missed by many friends who knew her good soul.

Martha is survived by three sons, Theodore A. Groenke Jr. “Tad” and wife Jennifer, Frederick J. Groenke “Fritz,” of Bigfork and Hans R. Groenke of Desert Air, Washington; grandchildren, Kai Groenke of Kalispell and Kate Maetzold of Whitefish, and Hans Groenke Jr., Karl Groenke and Kase Groenke of Desert Air, Gretchen Groenke Durango, Colorado, and Barbara Manning of Chicago; and great-grandchildren.  

She was preceded by her loving husband, Ted Groenke; sister, Joan Jennerjohn, formerly of Madison, Wisconsin; and her parents, Harry and Ruth Gauchat of Canton and Madison.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. July 10 at St. Pat’s Church in Ferndale with Pastor Louise officiating and we invite all who knew Martha to a reception following the service at the Bigfork Inn.

Remembrances are welcome for Glacier Symphony Orchestra and Chorale.