Cyril James Groetken

Cyril “Cy” Groetken, Sr., age 84, of Yankton, South Dakota, died due to complications from dementia, surrounded by his family on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Visitation is from 2:00 to 3:00 PM on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Yankton, South Dakota. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM on Thursday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Yankton with Reverend Jeff Otterman officiating. The celebration of Cyril’s life will continue following the funeral at The Copper Room from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Ava’s House in Sioux Falls or to the Yankton Youth Soccer Association.

Cyril “Cy” Groetken, Sr. was born in Sioux City, Iowa on November 12, 1941, the oldest of nine children of Cecil and Maude (Dahl) Groetken. He grew up in Sioux City and graduated from Central High School in 1960. He married Pauline Hilsinger on December 1, 1962, at the First Covenant Church in Sioux City. They moved to Yankton, South Dakota, and Cy began working in sales at Dale Electronics. The family then moved to Connecticut where Cy worked at Aura Manufacturing, until returning to Yankton in 1979 to work with his dad at Cecil’s Bakery. He later returned to Dale Electronics where he spent over 25 years selling all over the world.

Cy was a hardworking, genuine man who would do anything for his family. When his children wanted to play soccer, there was not a soccer league in Yankton. Cy went door-to-door collecting signatures to bring soccer to Yankton and even chalked out the first soccer field with his family. He was always present for his grandchildren as well, attending sporting events, dance recitals, or anything they were involved with in life. He was a mentor to his family and enjoyed sports, especially basketball, bowling and golf. He loved to have fun and was known for his infectious laugh.

Cy was active in the communities where he lived and enjoyed giving his time and talents, which included coaching and refereeing Youth Basketball and Youth Soccer. He volunteered for Special Olympics basketball and was a long time member of the Elks, past member of Hillcrest Country Club and Fox Run Golf Course.

Survivors include his wife, Pauline Groetken of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; five children: Marcy (Darren) Moser of Yankton; Shelly (Tom) Jones of Sioux Falls; Cyril James “C.J.” (Kelly) Groetken Jr. of Bloomington, Illinois; Melissa (Donavan Stinson) Christianson of San Antonio, Texas; and Michael Groetken of Sioux Falls; 10 grandchildren; five great grandchildren; six brothers and sisters: Rich (Kathy) Groetken, Pete (Donna) Groetken, Mary (Dale) Jones, Robert (Deb) Groetken, Cecil (Karen Yowell) Groetken, and Deb (James) Weddingfeld; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Cecil and Maude Groetken; two siblings: Mike Groetken and Patricia Washburn and father and mother-in-law: James and Lorraine Hilsinger.

The family would like to express their thanks to all the staff at Ava’s House for all their wonderful care that they provided for Cy during his final days.