Paul Peter Groshek, 79

Paul Peter Groshek, 79, passed away peacefully and quietly on December 31, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on June 29, 1946, to Stanley H. and Regina Marie (née Wysocki) Groshek of the Town of Stockton. He was born at home on the family farm and spent most of his life in the Stevens Point and Amherst areas. He graduated from Amherst High School in Amherst, Wisconsin, in 1964.

Paul met the love of his life, Agnes, at a polka dance club in Stevens Point. They were married on July 31, 1965, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Together, Paul and Agnes shared over 44 years of marriage and raised four children.

He spent the majority of his working career as a millwright at the Consolidated Papers, Inc. paper mill in Whiting, Wisconsin, beginning shortly after high school graduation and continuing until his retirement. He accepted an early retirement offer following the company’s acquisition by Stora Enso in 2000. Both before and after his retirement, Paul kept himself busy with a variety of hobbies, running side businesses, and working part-time jobs. These included installing sprinkler systems, winterizing water lines and drilling wells, selling Christmas trees, and performing live music.

A lover of sports, Paul played baseball in his youth and remained a devoted Wisconsin sports fan throughout his life, cheering on the Green Bay Packers and the Milwaukee Brewers. He enjoyed watching and playing golf, both solo and with friends in leagues.

He also loved music—especially classic country and polka—and played both the concertina and the drums, and contributed vocals, for many years, as part of the Polka Country Drifters. An avid bow and gun hunter and fisherman, Paul enjoyed countless hours outdoors. He took great pride in tending to his many acres in the Wisconsin countryside and frequently hosted gatherings and barbecues at his rural home, affectionately known as “Da Castle.” He cherished vacations with his family, frequently spending time in the Wisconsin Dells and Minocqua during the summers, where he enjoyed recreational boating, fishing, swimming, mini-golfing, grilling, and exploring local restaurants and family attractions.

He was a generous and compassionate man, and will be remembered for his warmth, kindness, work ethic, independence, and his humor—particularly his unforgettable one-sided smirk—and his unwavering love for his country and his family. Paul cared for dozens of animals over the course of his life, and supported his children’s and grandchildren’s many ambitions, celebrating milestones and attending dozens of sporting events and concerts throughout their lives.

Paul is survived by his four children, Kevin Groshek, Carla (Eric) Gagas, Craig Groshek, and Cory (Ashley) Groshek; five grandchildren, Kayla (Chris) Engelien, Dustin, Corban, Jonah, and Mercer Groshek, and one unborn grandchild, Savannah Marie, expected April 2026; his brother, Tom Groshek; his sister, Rita (Eldon Kufahl) Dombrowski; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, many wonderful friends, and his beloved canine companion, Chanelle.

Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Agnes (née Bemke) Groshek, on January 3, 2010; his parents, Stanley H. and Regina Marie (née Wysocki) Groshek; his siblings, Jerome (Dorothy) Groshek, Robert (Edna) Groshek, Catherine (Lawrence) Wierzba, Arnold E. (Regina) Groshek, his brother-in-law Gary Dombrowski, and his sister-in-law, Marie (née Wierzba) Groshek.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 9, 2026, at St. James Catholic Church, 453 South Main Street, Amherst, WI. Fr. Jerzy Rebacz will officiate. Friends and family are invited to gather and share memories from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Shuda Funeral Chapel, 3200 Stanley Street, Stevens Point, with a closing Rosary being led by Deacon Art Schaller, and again at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. A meal will follow immediately after the service, with burial taking place that day at 2 p.m. at St. Mary of Mount Carmel Catholic Church – Fancher Cemetery in Amherst, WI.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in Paul’s name.