Jereta M. Groleau, age 88, of 12131 U.S. Highway 2, Rapid River, died Wednesday evening July 27, 2005 at the St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba.

Jereta was born May 17, 1917, in Garden, the daughter of James and Rosanna (Thibeault) Clement.  She was raised in Garden and attended the Garden schools.  Following her years in school, Jereta married Edward Groleau and together the couple made their home in the St. Jacques area.  Over the years, Jereta and Edward purchased the St. Jacques Grocery Store.  The couple owned and operated the grocery store until 1980, at which time; they sold the store to begin their retirement.  Edward preceded Jereta in death on September 11, 1985.  Throughout the years, Jereta remained in St. Jacques and on September 12, 1992, she married William Groleau at the St. Andrew Catholic Church in Nahma.  Together, Jereta and William remained in St. Jacques until her health began to fail in recent years.  Jereta was a member of the St. Andrew Catholic Church in Nahma; she enjoyed playing cards and bingo.  She was an avid Detroit Tiger and Lion fan, a former member of the Nahma Alter Society and various playing card clubs.  Jereta loved spending time with her family and grandchildren and will be deeply missed. 

Survivors include: 

Jereta’s husband Bill Groleau

5 Sons:  Donald (Edith) Groleau of Rochester, Indiana

Ronald (Carolyn) Groleau of St. Joe Beach, FL

Warren (Christine) Groleau of St. Jacques, MI

Joel (Kathy) Groleau of Ensign, MI

Pat (Dani) Groleau of Escanaba, MI

2 Step Sons:  Grant (Mary) Groleau of Rock Falls, IL

Harry (Joan) Groleau of East Troy, WI

Also surviving are 17 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and several half brother, half sisters, nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her parents, James and Rosanna and her first husband Edward, Jereta was preceded in death by:

10 Brothers

5 Sisters

2 infant grandchildren

Family will receive friends on Sunday from 4:00PM to 7:00PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone.  A closing prayer service will follow visitation, at 7:00PM, at the Skradski Funeral Home, with Deacon Rod Groleau officiating.  Funeral services celebrating the life of Jereta Groleau will be held on Monday at 11:00AM, at the St. Andrew Catholic Church in Nahma with Fr. Frank Lenz officiating.  Committal will follow church services at the New Garden Cemetery.  Luncheon will follow committal at the Nahma Township Hall.