Doug Groce, age 78, of Madison, died Sunday, August 12, 2018 at the Madison Regional Health System. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM on Thursday, August 16th at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church with Father DeWayne Kayser as the Celebrant. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM on Wednesday at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church with a prayer service at 7 PM and a Rosary led by the Knights of Columbus. Visitation will continue from 9:30-10:30 AM at the church. Burial will be in St. Thomas Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to: Knights of Columbus, PO Box 81, Madison, SD 57042 or St. Thomas School, 401 N. Van Eps Ave., Madison, SD 57042. Douglas Dean Groce was born on October 10, 1939 near Oldham, SD to John & Maude (Borah) Groce. He graduated from Oldham High School in 1957. He continued his education at General Beadle and received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1962. While he was taking classes, he enlisted in the SD Air National Guard on March 11, 1958 and served until his discharge on March 2, 1961. On August 22, 1966, he married Charlotte Conn in Madison and to this union three sons were born. They made their home in Madison and Doug began working for the Madison Central School District as a science teacher and guidance counselor. While he was teaching, he obtained his Masters Degree from SDSU. In 1997, after 31 years, Doug decided it was time to retire. While he was teaching, he coached golf, football, basketball, and wrestling for Madison. Doug was a sports enthusiast; and he loved playing, watching and coaching. He played on the inaugural General Beadle baseball team in 1961, which led him to go on and play amateur baseball for the next decade. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Izaak Walton, Lake County Pro Pheasants, Ducks Unlimited, Lake Herman Development & Madison Country Club. Doug is survived by his wife of almost 52 years, Charlotte of Madison; three sons, John (Shelley) Groce, Matthew (Penni) Groce both of Madison & Patrick (Amy) Groce of Bismarck, ND; three grandchildren, Evan, Ian & Anna Groce; two brothers, Alvin Groce of Oldham & Ernest Groce of Pamona, CA. He is preceded in death by his parents, John & Maude; four sisters, Iva Foster, Fern Young, Jeannie DeKnikker & Doris Groce; four brothers, Floyd, Irwin, Darrel & Loren.


- Weiland Funeral Chapel