Irene L. Groon, 103, formerly of Arlington, died Sunday, July 8, 2018, at The Neighborhoods at Brookview in Brookings.

Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 13, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Arlington with burial in the Arlington City Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the Johnson-Henry Funeral Home in Arlington and preceding services in the church on Friday.

Irene Lillian (Vallin) Groon was born in Doon, Iowa, on June 6, 1915, to Axel and Ruth (Anderson) Vallin.  Her family moved to Big Springs in 1916.  They then moved to a farm north of Huron in 1920.  Her mother died when she was 6 years old, so she and her older sister assumed housekeeping duties for the family.  She received her education at a rural school near Huron.  She later worked for various families doing housekeeping and child care.

Irene married Emil Groon on August 24, 1938, at Huron.  They lived near Alcester and in 1951 moved to a farm near Arlington.  After Emil’s death in 2004, she remained on the farm until she was nearly 98. In 2013, she moved to The Neighborhoods at Brookview.

She was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith after her marriage.

She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church for 67 years where she taught Sunday school and was a member of Ladies’ Aid.  She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

Irene is survived by sons Laurence (Joan,) Robert (Sheryl,) and Alan (Elaine) all of Arlington; daughters Marjorie (Larry) Hecht of Larchwood, Iowa, and Kathleen (Neil) Baker, of Lincoln, Nebraska; daughter-in-law Janice (Bill) Brandriet of Watertown; 14 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband, son Richard, granddaughter Beth Fonseca, grandson Tim Groon, infant grandson Ricky, her four brothers and one sister.