Eldon R. Grothen

Eldon R. Grothen, 84, of Hastings, Nebraska passed away Friday, September 25, 2026, at Mary Lanning Healthcare, Hastings, NE.

A funeral service will be held at First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Hastings, NE, with Pastor Joel Remmers officiating at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, October 1, 2026. Interment will follow at Parkview Cemetery, Hastings, NE. Visitation will be held at Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, from 1-6:00 P.M. with family present from 5-6:00 P.M. Memorials can be sent to First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. The service will be live-streamed on Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home’s website. To view the service, go to Eldon’s obituary and click the play button shown towards the bottom of the page. 

Eldon was born in Hastings, NE to Walter and Hattie (Stromer) Grothen on October 11, 1941. He attended elementary school at Kelly School District # 35. He graduated from Hastings High School and Hastings College. While attending Hastings College, he met the love of his life Susan Pierce. They went on to get married in 1963. Education was important to them as Eldon served on the school boards of Kelly District # 35 and Wallace District # 60. Susan served on the Adams Central school board. Together, Eldon and Susan raised their family on a family farm until Susan passed away in 1988. Eldon was a lifetime farmer.

Eldon married Donna Eckhardt Johnson in 1990. They spent many years enjoying each other’s company. They especially liked to travel, go dancing, and attend family celebrations. They later divorced in 2025.

Eldon was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church southwest of Hastings. He then became a longtime and active member of First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hastings. He served on the First St. Paul’s Foundation. He enjoyed being a Stephen Minister and participating in the cross makers group. Many people have received a prayer cross from the group.

Eldon is survived by his daughter, Karen and Darrin Nienhueser of Juniata, NE; and son-in-law William McLeod of Hastings. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Pamala and Justin Gregg of Hastings; Cassandra and Luke Bishard of Parker, CO; Karissa McLeod of Pickrell, NE; Joshua Nienhueser of Juniata; Desirae and Tristan Junker of Kenesaw, NE; and Melinda Nienhueser of Juniata; his great-grandchildren, Braxton and Landon Gregg of Hastings; Ellianna, Lillian, Stetson, and Goldie Bishard of Parker; and Rori and Mason Junker of Kenesaw.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Hattie Grothen; his wife, Susan Grothen; his daughter, Diane (Grothen) McLeod; and a special aunt, Catherine “Aunt Kay” (Stromer) Williams.