Rose Anne ‘Dani’ Groleau

Resided in Escanaba, MI
Died November 26, 2019

Rose Anne “Dani” Groleau, 72, of Escanaba and Nahma, died unexpectedly of natural causes at her beloved cabin in Nahma.
Born May 27, 1947 in Escanaba to Henry L. and Violet L. Sargent, Dani was raised in Nahma and attended the Nahma Township Schools until her 1965 graduation. She attended Eastern Michigan University briefly before graduating from Northern Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in Special Education.

Dani loved her career as a Special Education teacher and devoted much of her life to making the lives of students with disabilities as full and rich as possible. She started her career in Sault Ste. Marie, MI teaching pre-school and special education. In 1980, she, with her family, relocated to Escanaba, where she taught for many years for the Delta-Schoolcraft Intermediate School District, retiring in 2007. After retirement, Dani remained actively involved with Special Olympics and other events that enriched the lives of many people. Dani truly embraced diverse abilities and exemplified what it means to include everyone, no matter what the circumstances.

On July 25, 1970, Dani wed Brian “Pat” Groleau. They lived in Escanaba for many years. Dani loved her family, friends, and all things Nahma beyond measure. She had the kindest heart and people always felt happy just being around her. Dani had a special bond with each of her children and grandchildren and prided herself with being completely committed to her family. Whether it was advice, football/basketball/volleyball games, a choir concert, Grandparents Day, or babysitting,Dani was always there for her people, without hesitation. She was the BEST grandma, always offering words of encouragement and leaving a little “treat money” when she visited.

The Groleau cabin in Nahma was Dani’s place of solitude and peace. She looked forward to opening it up every spring to let the summer fun begin. The Nahma Beach was Dani’s happy place. She enjoyed raking and cleaning the beach every day in the summer and spent hours enjoying the sound of the waves and a good chat with her friends while basking in the sunshine. When she wasn’t on the beach, she could be found enjoying time with her friends at her book club or supporting the Nahma Historical Society.

Dani was preceded by her husband Pat and her parents. She is survived by her daughters, Rochelle (Robert) Huss of Combined Locks, WI.; Amber (Ken) Rygh of Escanaba; sister, Mary Elizabeth (the late Michael) Groleau of Nahma; brother, Bud (Ellen) Sargent of Marquette; six grandchildren, Sawyer; Tate; Sofia; Ethan; Odin; and Jackson. She will also be missed by many special friends.

Upon family request due to the snow storm and unexpected power outages we have experienced, the visitation for Rose Anne “Dani” Groleau has been moved to Monday, December 2 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Skradski Family Funeral Home in Escanaba. Funeral services will follow at 3:00 PM.

The Groleau family appreciates your understanding and cooperation at this time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Special Olympics of Michigan, Area One or the Nahma Historical Society.

23 Tributes for “Rose Anne ‘Dani’ Groleau”

    Such a beautiful person, may god hold her in his arms. My prayers and heartfelt condolences go to you Shelly and Amber, your parents were an important part of my childhood.

    I met Dani 38 years ago when she subbed for mr during a maternity leave. My husband and Pat were friends. Dani went to St Joe/St. Patrick’s. I often saw her at 4:00 Mass. I am truly sorry about the loss of this dear woman. May God be with her and all of you.

    Groleau family, I am so sad to her of Dani’s passing. She was the teacher to 3 of my special need residents that were like my own children. She was the most fun loving, happy, smiley, everyone included no matter what lady.
    She truly brightened your day, whether you were a friend or one of her students. The world is a little brighter because of special angels like Dani. You have my sympathies, fly high angel.

    As a longtime friend of her and Pat since the Arrow days, I thoroughly enjoyed their company. I miss them both and when Dani and I visited in October, she was doing well although it was near the yearly observance of Pat’s passing. How she missed him. Now she and he can walk the beach together.

    It was such a pleasure sharing our grandkids with Pat and Dani. They were both such a wonderful example for Sawyer, Tate and Sofia to follow.

    Such a beautiful lady. Dani greatly loved her special needs student’s who greeted her at heavens door. I had the honor of knowing her thru some of these special children.

    Dani will be terribly missed. All of us loved her and she will be cherished in our memories forever. My heartfelt condolences and love to Shelly, Amber and their families.

    I knew Dani mainly through Special Olympics and her volunteering to organize the yearly basketball tournaments and Christmas Trim A Tree events. She was a joy to be around. She definitely was an advocate for special needs students and adults. I will always remember her.

    So sorry to hear about Dani. We had been friends for many years. My condolences and prayers go out to her family. God will now take care of her.

    Dani was a great person. She always greeted me with a smile and we could talk about everything. My heart goes out to all of you. Prayers and hugs to all.

    My deepest sympathy to Dani’s family. I got to know her when her mom luved at Harbor Tower. May our Heavenly Father bless her with eternal peace

    I loved Dani like a sister. She was always there for me when I was raising Mike. I will miss her. Amber and Shelly, so sorry for your loss, I love you guys too.

    Rita Pierson once said:
    “Every child deserves a champion—an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.”
    Dani Groleau did just that!
    I worked with Dani in a classroom filled with S.M.I. students. Her dedication was indeed inspirational. Each day, I observed her giving her best, and I admired her all the more for it. She challenged me to strive to be my best and for that I thank her.

    I was also privileged to call her my friend. Others will walk in and out of your life, but real friends leave footprints in your heart.” Dani’s positiveness and smile will be missed by so many of us
    Rest In Peace Sweet Dani.

    Dani and I were friends for over 50 years. You, Pat and Ivan were friends from the time you were kids. We raised our girls together. They are all still friends. Christmas Days we all spent together. Days at the Nahma Beach. Lunches, Book Club and movies. Murder on the Orient Express. Working at the LC for years. Seven Layer Salad, towels and your beautiful dishes. You were always there for me. You missed Pat so much.
    How can we say goodbye? How can we give your left behind family comfort?
    We love you dear friend.
    Goodbye.

    Dear Family,
    Please accept my condolences on the passing of Dani. It was a shock and great sorrow. I worked for Dani as a sub at the Learning Center when she took most of her class out into the Community. A foster grandparent, Katy and I stayed behind with those students not able to go. I will miss seeing her at our Special Olympics Basket Ball Tournament this year. She was a wonderful woman! Rest in peace, Dani.

    It was my good fortune to hire Dani as a teacher serving children with special needs. She was a positive person who always held the best interest of her students throughout her career. She was a fun person to have on staff with her ever present smile and her willingness to help out wherever she was needed. Our sympathy goes out to her family.
    John and Maggie Lindholm
    Marquette,mi.

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