Gary Groskreutz

Gary ‘Bear’ J. Groskreutz, age 64 of Litchfield, MN died on Wednesday August 18, 2021 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday August 28, 2021 at the Litchfield Christian Church. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 7:00 PM on Friday at Johnson Hagglund Funeral and Cremation Service in Litchfield and also one hour prior to the service. Interment will be held at Ripley Cemetery, Litchfield, MN. Gary John Groskreutz, the son of John and Fern (Yerks) Groskreutz was born on September 30, 1956 in Litchfield, MN. He was baptized on November 3, 1956 and Confirmed June 14, 1970 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. He graduated from Litchfield High School in 1974 and also graduated from the Arden Hills Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Throughout his life Gary worked as a jailer, dispatcher, a deputy in both Meeker and Morrison Counties and was the Rice Chief of Police from 1986 to 2010. He also owned Gary Groskreutz’s Custom Cabinetry. After his retirement Gary worked for the City of Litchfield. Bear was a member of the Eagles Club, the NRA and Pheasants Forever. He enjoyed the outdoors, four-wheeling, fishing, hunting and driving around looking at wildlife. He will be remembered as a ‘teddy bear’, who loved to cook and always had a helping hand. Gary is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins; his uncle Les (Judith); and former wife Judine. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; many uncles and aunts. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or the Centra Care Foundation to support the Heart and Vascular Center.