Our beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, and friend, Holley Blaine Groneman, age 90, passed away at home on Tuesday December 22, 2015, surrounded by his family. Holley endured with great faith many physical and health challenges in his final years. When those challenges knocked him down, he got back up and pressed forward with a determination to do the best he could. He was a source of inspiration to those around him and provided a profound example of endurance to the end.
Holley was born on September 4, 1925 to Earl Rose Groneman, Sr. and Eliza Holley Groneman. Holley graduated from East High School in Salt Lake City in 1942. The following year he was drafted into the U.S. Army and subsequently served in Europe in the 551st Quartermaster Company and later as a Second Scout in the Spearhead Division of Patton's Third Army. He fought in the Northern France, the Rhineland, and the Central European Campaigns. He participated in the liberation of the Mauthausen and Ebensee concentration camps. Upon returning home, he went to LDS Business College, the University of Utah, and Brigham Young University, receiving an education as an accountant.
On May 22, 1957, he was married in the Salt Lake Temple to Diane Smith. Together they raised seven children in the Cottonwood Heights area of the Salt Lake Valley. To support his large family, Holley worked as an accountant primarily in the Oil and Gas and Mining industries. He also had a small accounting business on the side, which in his later years became his full time job. He particularly enjoyed his associations with the clients of his own accounting business, H.B. Accounting.
Holley loved good classical music and he was accomplished on the violin. He also loved the outdoors and the beauties of nature, particularly the area of the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park. He also loved to fish. He provided many great memories and happy times for his family. He had a particular love for small children. Many were the times he could be seen singing a little tune and giving small children a horsey ride on his legs. Every child would bounce and giggle with delight.
Holley was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings within the church. He always endeavored to give each calling his best effort.
Holley is survived by his wife Diane and their children: Linda Taylor (David), David (Sheryl), Brian (Lisa), Robert, Holly Johnson (Kevin), John (Heidi), Heather Karren (Cory), 29 grandchildren (plus 9 spouses), and 19 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his youngest sibling, his sister Adele Truscott (Ken), and sisters-in-law Alice Groneman and Meredith Groneman. He was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother Earl Rose, Jr. (wife Alice) and his younger brother George Stanley (wife Meredith).
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, December 28, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. at the Cottonwood Heights Stake Center, 6890 South 2225 East, Cottonwood Heights. Family and friends may visit Sunday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East 10600 South inSandy, and Monday morning from 10:30 until 11:45 a.m. prior to funeral services at the Stake Center. Interment will follow at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 South Highland Drive.
