Kenneth D. Groninga, “Bud” age 86 of Watertown passed away on Wednesday, January 9, 2012. He was born January 2, 1927 to Joest and Trena (Rust) Groninga in Osceola, Iowa.

Ken served in the Army during the Korean War, being honorably discharged on December 23, 1955. He was a longtime carpenter throughout Minnesota. Ken was united in marriage on March 27, 1954 to Helen E. Utne in Madison, Minnesota. Ken loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joest and Trena Groninga; sisters Stena Frey, Trena Heikes, Lena Polzine, Minnie Johnson, and Florence Peters; brothers Everett Groninga, Louis Groninga, Joe Groninga, Herbert Groninga, Ben Groninga and Albert Groninga. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Helen; children Valerie Lawrence, Tom (Clare) Groninga, Lori (Mike) Searcy; grandchildren Addison Lawrence, Connor Lawrence, Katie (Kevin) Massey, Elizabeth Groninga, Sarah (Rob) Latham, Emily (Dylan) Giesen, Kristen Searcy, Michael Searcy, and Branden Searcy; great grandchildren Kyle, Jay Lynn, Samantha, Genevieve, Katherine; brother John Groninga.

Memorial services were held on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Watertown, Minnesota with an hour of gathering in the church before the services. Inurnment with military honors was in the Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota.