James Burton Groves

James Burton Groves of Viroqua, Wisconsin died August 28, 2006 at the age of 92. He was born October 26, 1913 in Ryegate, Montana, the second child of homesteaders, William F. and Amanda Isaacs Groves. He returned to the Viroqua area with his parents as a toddler where they lived on several farms in the Lyster, Buckeye Ridge, and east Viroqua regions. He attended rural elementary schools and Readstown and Viroqua High Schools. Upon graduation from Viroqua Senior High School in 1931, he enrolled in the Vernon County Normal School in Viroqua where he graduated with credentials as a grade school teacher in 1932. He did not pursue a career in teaching because his heart was in farming. An opportunity to operate his grandmother, Minnie B. Groves farm east of Viroqua opened up in the mid 1930s. He and his brother, Hubert E. Groves, operated this farm together for several years. James married Edna Virginia Matson on June 7, 1941 and in 1948 they purchased their own dairy farm near Fountain City, WI where they lived until 1979. James was an active Farm Bureau member for many years and assisted county agents in the administration of various agricultural initiatives. James spiritual life began during his youth at a local camp meeting where he repented of sin and embraced Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. That decision guided the rest of his life. James led his family to be very active in the leadership and programs of the Lakeside and Pleasant Valley Evangelical Free Churches in Winona, Minnesota. At the time of his death, he was a member of Grace Evangelical Free Church of Viroqua. James was highly respected by the pastors and congregations as a man of God who was spiritually solid and a source of excellent counsel and advice in the tough decisions of shepherding a church. After selling their farm in 1979, James and Edna retired to live near Stoddard, WI. Subsequently, they lived for several years in Onalaska, WI where James and Edna were active members of Bethany Evangelical Free Church of LaCrosse. He pursued a long neglected woodworking hobby, restored a vintage Farmers Union Co-op tractor and enjoyed numerous domestic and international travel opportunities with his wife and children. In July 2000, James and Edna moved to Maplewood Terrace, a part of the Bethel Home, in Viroqua. James is survived by Edna, his wife of 65 years, their five children, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren: a son, James S. Groves, and his wife, Carolyn Nelson, of East Lyme, CT and their children: Kristelle and her husband, Mark Castiglione, and children, Reagan and Bethanne of Houston, Texas and Bryan N. Groves and his wife, Richelle, of Boeblingen, Germany; a daughter, Linda and her husband, John C. Worden of Kerrville, TX and their children: John G. Worden, his wife, Diane, and their children: Phillip, Stephen, Joanna and Lydia, all of Richmond, VA; James W. Worden and his wife, Shara, of Brooklyn, NY; and Sarah J. Worden of Palm Bay, FL; a daughter, Kathleen and her husband, John Gettrust, of Oconomowoc, WI and their children: Katrina and her husband, Brooks Boyd, of Madison, WI and Allison Gettrust of Oconomowoc, WI; a daughter, Barbara and her husband, Denis Drew of San Francisco, CA; and a daughter, Margelyn and her husband, Robert Berndt, and their children, Jonathan and Christopher, all of LaCrosse, WI. He is further survived by his siblings: one brother, Pastor Hubert E. (Rosemary) Groves of Soldiers Grove and one sister, Mildred Burchfield of Nashville, TN, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Vernon T. Groves. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at the Viroqua Church of Christ. Pastor George Hubert Groves will officiate with burial in the Viroqua Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts be made to Grace Evangelical Free Church in Viroqua, the Viroqua Church of Christ, or the charity of your choice. The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is assisting the family.