Funeral service was 11 a.m. Sept. 13 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sauk Rapids for Darlene J. Gronau, age 83, of Sauk Rapids, who died Sept. 8, 2019, at the St. Cloud Hospital surrounded by her family. The Rev. John Beck officiated and burial was in the church cemetery. Visitation was from 4-7 p.m Thursday at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids and one hour prior to the services at church Friday. Trinity prayers were at 6 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home in Sauk Rapids.
Darlene was born Dec. 8, 1935, in Minneapolis to Albert and Ruth (Oliger) Thoman. She married Richard C. Gronau Sept. 11, 1954, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sauk Rapids. She was a legal secretary for Rinke-Noonan and lived in Sauk Rapids most of her life. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she was a past member of the altar guild. Darlene was also a past member of the Sauk Rapids Legion Post No. 254 Auxiliary. She enjoyed spending time with her family, going to plays and visiting with people. Darlene was a genuine, loving, generous, faithful person who always said, “I am blessed!”
Survivors include her daughter, Cindy (Bruce) England Sauk Rapids; granddaughters, Shannan (Mike) Houghton of Sartell, Celina (Jason) Gustafson of Becker; great grandchildren, Nolan and Lilly Houghton, Brandon and Carter Gustafson. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Rich June 13, 2005; stepfather, Fred Lesse; and brother, Allan Thoman.
Obituary, video tribute, and guestbook available online: www.williamsdingmann.com.R-37-1B
