Richard E. Groene

Richard Groene, 75, of rural West Point, after a short battle with cancer while on hospice at his ancestral family farm ran into the arms of his lord and savior Jesus Christ on Friday, August 7, 2026. 

Memorials can be directed to the Groene Family for later designation. 

Family greeting friends will be on Tuesday, August 11, from 5 until 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the Minnick Funeral Home in West Point. An additional time to greet Rich's family will be on Thursday, August 13 from 5 until 7 p.m. at Victory Church, 6330 N 56th Street in Omaha. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, August 14 at Victory Church at 11 a.m. with lunch immediately following in the church social hall. Burial of ashes with military honors will be on Friday, at 3 p.m. at Holy Cross Cemetery in Schuyler. Svoboda Moravec Johnson Mortuary is handling arrangements for Rich's Family.  

For those wishing to order flowers in West Point it is suggested to please call Flower and Gift Gallery 402-372-3466.

Richard Edward Groene was born in a snowstorm in West Point, Nebraska on March 20, 1951. His parents took him home to the family farm and raised him with his six siblings. He attended Scared Heart Academy at Olean through the 8th grade, where he fondly remembered playing baseball with his friends during recess. He attended Dodge High School, and although undersized, excelled on the football field. After he graduated, he enlisted into the United States Air Force becoming an aircraft mechanic. During his enlistment he served in Thailand, maintaining top secret aircraft QU-22B in support of the Vietnam War. After his service he attended SECC learning the trade of a finish carpenter. After completion of his training he worked in Lincoln, NE in new home construction before returning to his hometown and starting off on his own. 

One of his jobs took him to Howells, Nebraska where he met the love of his life, Joy Wisnieski. They were married on August 7, 1981, and together had three children Katy in 1982, Maggie in 1983, and Aron in 1985. A change of vocation lead him and Joy moving to Battle Creek, Iowa in June of 1984 to run a grocery store. After 5 years they moved to Omaha, Nebraska where he became a rural letter carrier for the USPS. During his time in Omaha, he mentored many young men and women and shared his love of Christ through coaching sports and Royal Rangers. After he and Joy retired from the USPS they moved back to the farm where his father was born. 

The last three years of his life were spent living the quiet country life he yearned for while he lived in Omaha. Throughout his life he wore many hats and had many hobbies including bee keeping, wood working, gardening, wine maker, leather crafting, and many others. However, his favorite “hat” he had later in life was being “Papa Rich” to his beloved grandchildren Jack and Elliot. 

He is preceded in death by his parents Paul and Margert (McNally), his siblings Patricia Bacome, Robert Groene, Claudia (Bill) Stuben, brothers-in-law Jeff Koch and Adrian Barta, and niece Molly Koch. 

Rich leaves behind his wife Joy, his children Katy Groene, Maggie Groene, Aron Groene (Stephanie Fitch), former son in law Roger Perrigo, and his grandchildren Jack and Elliot Groene. And too many friends to list.