After a long battle against cancer, Michael LaMar Groneman, age 78, of Springville, Utah, passed away on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at home surrounded by his family.
Born to Marge and LaMar Groneman, Mike made his way into the world on December 23, 1944, and interrupted what his father called a “great duck hunting day.”
He spent the first 9 years of his life living every little boy’s dream chasing chickens and tending to animals on a farm in Mapleton before moving to Springville Main Street, where his father opened a taxidermy shop.
He attended elementary through high school in Springville. He graduated as a Mighty Red Devil where he excelled in basketball, football, student government and many other activities. He was named Best Dressed, which he thought was kind of funny since he usually just wore JC Penney jeans and a shirt freshly-pressed by his mother.
Upon graduating high school, he earned a full-ride scholarship to play football for the University of Utah, where he proudly wore #66. He was a die-hard U of U fan and passed that love for the Utes to his children and grandchildren. Our family sports motto “We cheer for the U of U or anyone who plays BYU” was proudly displayed in a bumper sticker on the family suburban for most of the 80s and 90s.
In 1965, the summer before his senior year of college, he took a road trip to Yellowstone and happened to cross paths with a former flame named Jan Roberts. Luckily fate had brought them back together, and they married on December 10, 1966. After 57 years of marriage, Jan and Mike are still best friends, soulmates, and the perfect example of true love.
Upon graduating from the U of U, he attended the Children’s Hospital of Physical Therapy in Los Angeles where he earned his degree in physical therapy, then worked at St. Vincent’s Hospital. After 3 years in L.A. they moved back home to Utah where he worked as a Physical Therapist at Utah Valley Hospital. After 10 years at the hospital, he opened his own practice. In 1993 he obtained his certification as a Specialized Hand Therapist and worked as one of the few physical therapists in Utah County specializing in the treatment of hands, until retiring in 2006. Mike loved his work and patients. His patients reciprocated that love and appreciated his ability
to heal them.
In May of 1972, he and Jan welcomed their first child, Heidi. Not long after that, Steven, Angie, Chad and Miken followed. Mike absolutely loved his family and let them know often. Jan, his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were the highlight of his life. He loved them fiercely and they love him back just as much.
After retiring, he and Jan spent many winters as “Snowbirds” in Parker Dam, AZ. It was there that he developed a talent for whittling and carving wood. He spent hours carving different animals and beautifully detailed Hobbit Houses for his children and grandchildren. In his spare time, he also loved golfing with his buddies, gardening in his beautiful yard, traveling with Jan, and watching his grandchildren at their sports events and musical performances. They always knew that Gramps was their biggest fan.
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Mike served his Lord faithfully. He held many positions in the church as Bishop, teacher, and counselor. He and Jan served as missionaries and taught those in the 12-step Program. They loved helping and serving those they worked with and were a positive impact on many lives.
Mike is preceded in death by his parents, LaMar and Marge Groneman.
He is survived by his beautiful wife, Jan, and their five children: Heidi (Patrick) Monney, Springville, UT, Steven (Katee) Groneman, Spanish Fork, UT, Angie Groneman, Springville, UT, Chad (Ashlie) Groneman, Santaquin, UT, and Miken (Taylor) Gardner, Santan Valley, AZ. His legacy lives on through his 15 grandchildren: Olivia (Ryan) Gage, Sinking Spring, PA, Michael Monney, Glendale, UT, Andrew Monney, Spanish Fork, UT, William Monney, Logan, UT, Gracee Groneman, Spanish Fork, UT, Max Groneman, Spanish Fork, UT, Jordan (Whitney) Lindquist, Coleman (Carlee) Lindquist, St. George, UT, River (Jordyn) Lindquist, Mapleton, UT, and Jacksen (Sage) Stika, Provo, UT, Kole Hampton, Orem, UT, Izzie Groneman, Mapleton, UT, Lucy Groneman, Mapleton, UT, Dade Gardner, San Tan Valley, AZ, and Tayen Gardner, San Tan Valley, AZ. He also leaves behind 2 great-grandchildren, Treyson Christensen, Delilah Lindquist, and two more on the way.
He is also survived by his sister, Katherine (the late, Don) Tuttle, and brother, Lawrence (Kathy) Groneman.
The family would like thank Mike’s hospice nurse, Heidi, who provided him with wonderful care and comfort during his last month.
A viewing for family and friends will be held Tuesday, September 5, 2023, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Spring Creek Mortuary, 737 N. Main Street, Springville. Funeral services will be held at the Spring Creek South chapel (55 N. Main Street, Springville, UT) at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. Prior to the service, a viewing will take place from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Following the services, Mike will be laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery. For those unable to attend in person, a livestream option will be available.
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“My love”, “daddy”, “ pa”, “Mikey”, “buddy”, and “gramps” will forever be missed and in our
hearts.
Condolences can be offered at www.springcreekmortuary.com.
