Terry Grotheer

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Terry C. Grotheer, 75, of Pittsburg, passed away at 6:35 a.m. Thursday, February 19, 2026, at his home.

He was born September 10, 1950, in Pittsburg, Kansas to Margaret and Leslie Grotheer. He attended Pittsburg schools and graduated from Pittsburg High School in1968. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Pittsburg State University in 1973, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Library Science.

From 1973 to 1976, he was the school librarian at Ingalls USD 477. While there he was a Republican Committeeman and Treasurer of the Gray County Republican Party.

He became the High School Librarian at Galena High School, USD 499 in 1976 and worked for the district until his retirement in 2005. He worked both at the High School and the Spring Grove Primary School. He was the National Honor Society Sponsor, the SADD sponsor and did the Prom as Head Junior Class Sponsor for many years. He also did the yearbook, and taught journalism and Photography. During the 80’s, he taught Photography Classes for Labette County Community College. He liked to do crafts, especially counted cross stitch but often took many craft classes.

He was a member of the Kansas Association of School Librarians, the Kansas Reading Association. The National Education Association, the Kansas National Education Association, and the Galena Education Association, serving three terms as President of the local association in three different decades. He also represented the Southeast Kansas Uniserve as a member of the Kansas Reading Circle. He was a Republican Committeeman in Galena for one term.

After his retirement, he moved back to Pittsburg and lived at the old family farm until his death. He enjoyed traveling and taking pictures, doing three or four trips a year. He then scrapbooked his trips and photos. Mr. Grotheer visited all fifty states and more than 35 countries. He traveled over 150,000 miles and took over 95 thousand photos while on his tours.

He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Joplin, Mo since 1985. He was baptized and confirmed in 1964 at Zion Lutheran Church in Pittsburg.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his paternal grandparents, Carl and Mary Grotheer, and his maternal grandparents, Carl and Opal Matzenbacher.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday (Feb. 23) at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2616 S Connecticut Ave, Joplin, MO with Pastor Christopher Ramstad officiating. Burial will follow at 12:30 p.m. in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Pittsburg. There will be no visitation, but friends can call at Brenner Mortuary from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, and at Immanuel Lutheran Church after 9:30 a.m. till the funeral. Friends may also leave condolences at www.brennermortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg, KS.