Casimir "Casey" Groshek's Obituary
God whispered to Casey that he was finished with his chores just before sunrise on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025.
He was born to Henry and Delores (Golla) Groshek on April 27, 1953, and was farming with his family in Amherst Junction, Wisconsin, soon after that. He attended grade school at St. Mary of Mount Carmel (Fancher) which wasn’t far, but obviously uphill both ways. Casey then started at Amherst public school in eighth grade, where Sue Fleming first laid eyes on him coming in late to school and has loved him ever since. They married on January 20, 1973.
In high school, Casey discovered the physicality of farm life lent itself to success in wrestling. He spoke with awe and respect about how strong his teammates and competitors were, yet rarely mentioned his own resilience and the fortitude it took for him to manage school, farming and sports.
After their wedding Casey and Sue settled just south of the farm on Old 18 Road. They had three children, Crystal, Holly and Keith. Casey’s love of family and farming was beyond compare. In the early years, when he wasn’t farming, he was playing “Duds” softball in Nelson Park with his famous blue glove or boating at Lake Emily. On Sunday afternoons he took a short break for football, he loved afternoon napping (deer) season, and the Brewers were always on the radio. There was bowling league, asparagus picking, Monday night trips to the Marion livestock auction, and countless hours of making firewood. The annual week-long summer vacation in Three Lakes was treasured time with his family, including that of Terry and Jean Schwirtz.
Casey’s health issues began in 2008, when he was hospitalized with what was thought to be viral meningitis. His tremendous strength is what brought him back from losing most of his physical abilities, to eventually returning to farming. In 2023, Casey was hospitalized again, and advances in medicine then uncovered the proper diagnosis of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder. NMOSD was the rare autoimmune disease that was responsible for Casey’s previous illnesses, probably dating as far back as 1991, with what seemed like minor ailments at the time.
As NMOSD pushed Casey into “retirement,” he only worked 12 or 14 hours each day. He was busy caring for his chickens and ducks, and the farm dog Molly. The recent high water near the barn provided the perfect environment for birdwatching. Purple Martins, geese, eagles, robins and hummingbirds were among his favorites, but his very favorite pastime was watching his beloved grandchildren grow.
The stoicism, love, gratitude and humor with which Casey lived every day is the headline to his story. He will be remembered for his signature handshake and his bright blue eyes that twinkled every time he looked at Sue, marveled at a sunset, or cracked a joke.
Casey was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Delores, an infant brother, Michael, father-in-law Florian “Sard” Fleming, mother-in-law Katherine Fleming, brother-in-law Ted Shoemaker and sister-in-law Mary Ann (Fleming) Shoemaker Wells.
He is survived by the love of his life, Sue, and children Crystal (Chris) Hansel, Holly (Tim) Hurda and Keith (Autumn) Groshek. He is further survived by his six grandchildren, Chase (23), Chloe (21), Caly (17), Braun (13), Audrey (10) and Sawyer (8), siblings Lloyd (Sherry) Groshek, Delroy (Gretchen) Groshek, Denise (Tom) Maves, Jackie (Jeff) Rutta, Gary Groshek and Wayne (Jill) Groshek, sister-in-law Kathy (Dave) Bleskey and brother-in-law Richard Wells. Casey had so many dear friends, neighbors, extended family, and church family that it is impossible to list everyone that was important to him.
Casey’s family would like to thank Pastor Matt Olson, APNP Kristin Peterson, Dr. Adedayo Onitilo, the rehabilitation unit at Wausau Aspirus, the staff at Bethany Home and Heartland Hospice for the loving care they provided.
Visitation will take place at Jungers-Holly Funeral Home, 262 South Main St, Amherst, WI, 54406, from 4pm-8pm on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Visitation will resume on Friday, April 25, 2025 at 9:30am at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2000 Roosevelt Dr, Plover, WI, 54467, until the 11am service.
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