First a little history as to how Genie and I got to know a great lady named Janae Clausen.
Genie and I became members of Central Freeborn Lutheran Church Rural Albert Lea in 1974. Central Freeborn and North Freeborn were a two-church parish with one pastor.
Central Freeborn Lutheran Church was a total loss due to a fire on November 2, 1996.
Central Church service was then held at North Freeborn Church the same time as North for Sundays, Easter, Christmas, Lent, funerals, etc.
A new church was built on the same location as the old church with the first Sunday service January 24, 1999.
The decision was made to close North Freeborn Lutheran Church, sell the church building with the North members hopefully transferring to Central. (Most did and the church building was sold and moved to a beautiful country location by Ellendale.)
Shortly thereafter the decision was made to combine Central and East Freeborn as a two-part parish with one pastor (The parsonage at East was sold with Pastor Matthew Griggs and family purchasing the parsonage at East.)
Janae Clausen was the church organist and choir director at East with special Services being held together (East and Central at East). Janae invited Central Choir to participate and that is how Genie and I got the honor of knowing Janae Clausen,
Her funeral service, held at East Freeborn Lutheran Church, was most certainly an honor to a great lady of musical talents. Genie and I were honored to have you as “our” choir director.
In my career as an AAL agent, I understood the meaning of “Rural America is where 2 out of 3 people are related and the 3rrd one knows the other two real good.” Such was the case of my being the AAL agent assigned to Central Freeborn, West Freeborn, North Freeborn, and Ellendale Lutheran churches plus a short time for Wells, MN.
Genie and I attended the funeral service for Roger Groskreutz on April 17, 2023, held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Wells, MN.
Roger was a man of many talents, not only as a farmer, but also as a fellow human being involved in his church, especially the leadership. He was involved as an excellent singer in church plus “Just Friends” Gospel singing.
Roger and Jeanette did a good job of raising their sons, Chad and Layne. How do I know? Because they both spoke at their dad’s funeral doing an excellent job honoring Dad.
After the funeral, Genie and I went to the luncheon held at Good Shepherd. As we sat down, a lady comes running at Genie and me with open arms and a big hug. She says “Let’s talk after the meal.” We said, “OK.”
A lady at the same table as Genie and me asks, “Are either one of you a Groskreutz?” Genie explained who we were and that she had gone to South America with Andy Groskreutz for ten days, and they left the two hubbies to fend for themselves (which we did).
After reminiscing with Jerry and Andy, Genie and I said our goodbyes and drove on home to Albert Lea.
In discussing the funerals of Janae Clausen and Roger Groskreutz as to how they were both talented in the music field we came to the same conclusion:
Roger is now a member of “God’s Heavenly Choir” under the direction of Janae.
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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in New York. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.