Karleen Edna Sime

Karleen Edna Sime (Groenke) passed away on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. Kay wrote “I had so much joy and love in my life. The Lord has greatly blessed me with a Christian family, a wonderful husband for 49 years, 4 amazing children, 12 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild. I looked forward to heaven without fear because the Lord is my Light and my Salvation. He is the source of my strength. I thank the Lord who is the giver of Life and, because of Jesus’ resurrection, I will live forever! What a joyful reunion heaven will be as I join all the saints that have gone on before me”.

Kay loved the Lord immensely. She shared the love of Christ with everyone she came in contact with. She was born October 7, 1940, in Watertown, Wisconsin at the Bethesda Lutheran Home. She was baptized at St. John Lutheran Church in Watertown, WI. She attended Lutheran schools all her grade school years. Her Dad, John Groenke Sr. was her teacher for all 8 years. She graduated from high school at Red Wing, Minnesota in 1958. She attended Methodist Kahler School of Nursing in Rochester, Minnesota for 3 years, graduating in August 1961.

Kay and Harlin Dean Sime were married on September 2, 1961, at Hay Creek Lutheran Church. They lived in Ames, Iowa until Harlin graduated from Iowa State University in Agronomy. They lived in Shakopee, MN for 20 years. In 1982 Harlin became a District Representative for Aid Association for Lutherans, which later became Thrivent Financial. He retired in 2004 and they moved to Monticello, MN to their property on the Mississippi River in 2006.

The Lord blessed Dean & Kay with 4 beautiful children: David (Darcy) Sime, Karen (Eric) Phelps, Robert (Naomi) Sime, and Nancy (Neil) DeJarnette. They were blessed with 12 grandchildren: Matthew Sime, Joshua Sime, Hana Phelps, Grace (Howard), Faith (Sargent), Emeline Phelps, Madelyn Sime, Linnea Sime, Christian, Jonah, Anna (Andrade), and Daniel DeJarnette. She lived to see and enjoy her first great-grandchild, Engelbert ‘Endy’ Andrade III.

She worked as an RN for 52 years. She was a gracious and caring care giver! In 2007 she received the Parish Nurse designation and was Parish Nurse at Faith Lutheran Church in Monticello for 14 years.

Kay loved the Lord with all her heart and soul and mind and spirit and read His Word daily. She read thru the Bible at least once each year and sometimes twice! She attended Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) and led other bible studies regularly. In 2007 she began leading the church band and played the piano for worship services. She was named the music director at her church, Faith Lutheran. I’m sure she is singing in the heavenly choir with all the saints in perfect pitch and playing without any mistakes!

For 6 years Kay joined a group of Doctors and Nurses (HELPS) ministry and went on mission trips to Guatemala where the team conducted surgeries and healthcare for people in remote areas. She was blessed to be a blessing!

Besides playing piano and guitar, she enjoyed reading, knitting, her iPad, and visiting with people. Her favorite gift was cooking and baking her children’s and grandchildren’s favorite foods. She shared her gift with many people over the years!

She was preceded in death by her faithful husband, Harlin Dean; her Mom and Dad, John & Erna Groenke; mother and father-in-law, Arnold & Hazel Sime; brothers Frank, John Jr., and Donald Groenke.

She is survived by sons and daughters: David & Darcy Sime, (Alden, Minnesota); Karen & Eric Phelps, (Traverse City, Michigan), Robert & Naomi Sime, (Excelsior, Minnesota), Nancy & Neil DeJarnette, (Lynchburg, Virgina). She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Kay will be laid to rest in Lakeside Cemetery in Monticello, Minnesota beside her husband.

Pallbearers:

Christian DeJarnette, Jonah DeJarnette, Daniel DeJarnette, Engelbert Andrade II, Michael Howard, Kyle Sargent.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg is assisting the family.