Hans Robert Groenke

With deep love, we announce the passing of Hans Robert Groenke who made his journey onward on October 17, 2026.

Hans was born on May 31, 1953 in Chicago, Illinois to Martha Jean Gauchat and Theodore Arthur Groenke. He grew up in Lake Forest, Illinois. At 19, he moved to Bigfork, Montana where he fell in love with taking care of cherry trees along the east lake shore. In 1979, he and Julia Ellis moved to Mattawa, Washington where they planted 80 acres of cherries and started their family. Hans spent all of his adult life between Bigfork and Mattawa working in the orchards.

Hans is preceded by his parents Martha and Ted. He is survived by his grandchildren, Otto, Hayden and Lyla Groenke, Eddy Custer and Rhythm Baca; his children, Hans and his wife Brittany, Karl, Gretchen and her husband Karlos, and Kase; and his brothers Fritz and Tad.

Hans will be remembered for his love of the fruit trees, his generosity, and for always finding a way to have a good time.

Services will be held at noon on November 14th, 2026 in Mattawa, Washington.