Berniece E. Groote, 84, of Dike, passed away on Thursday, December 22, 2011 at the Eldora Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Eldora, Iowa. A funeral service will be held on Monday, December 26, 2011 at 10:30 A.M. at the Dike United Methodist Church in Dike. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. Interment will be private. The Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home Dike Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Berniece Ellen Ross was born on September 13, 1927, near Grundy Center, Iowa, the daughter of William and Grace (Hook) Ross. She graduated from Grundy Center High School and was a teacher in a country school in Pleasant Valley. Berniece was united in marriage with Roy Groote on December 20, 1946, in Wellsburg, Iowa. They made their home in Grundy County where they farmed until retirement. They wintered in Arizona for 28 years, loved to travel and visit with friends and family. Berniece liked golfing and doing ceramics. Berniece was a member of the Dike United Methodist Church and the Legion Auxiliary in Dike.
Surviving Berniece are her children, a son Nathan (Velda) Groote of Dike, Jean (Craig) Hemmen of Huxley, IA and Joan (Denny) Dennis of Des Moines; 6 grandchildren Kevin Groote, Karen (Ryan) Stampe, Matt Hemmen, Jessica (Marty) Jimmerson, Kelly (Bob) Trently and Scott (Callie) Heisler; one step-grandson Brian Dennis; 6 great-granddaughters; 4 sisters Mavis Meester, Marge (Paul) Bakker, Marian Langenberg and Pat (Bob) Abels; a sister-in-law Mary DeBerg. She was preceded in death by her husband Roy in July 2011 and her parents.