Josef “Joe” Christoph Grotegut, 92, of Hereford, Texas, passed away on February 12, 2026. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on February 27, 2026, at Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home in Hereford. The funeral mass will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Umbarger, Texas on February 28, 2026, at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Umbarger.
Josef was born on June 23, 1933, in Greffen, Germany, to Christoph Grotegut and Maria Nolte Grotegut. After studying agriculture in Warendorf, Germany, Josef travelled to the United States in 1953, to visit his Uncle Anton and Aunt Francis Grotegut. After briefly returning to Germany, Josef returned to Umbarger, Texas, in 1955 to farm and became a US citizen. On September 27, 1961, Josef and Gertrud Lütke-Grachtrup married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Umbarger. As a lifelong parishioner, Josef was actively involved in the church community and the Knights of Columbus. Josef was always passionate about farming and was named Deaf Smith County Farmer of the Year by the Hereford Lions Club in 1971. He served on the boards for the Deaf Smith/Oldham County Farm Bureau and Farmer’s Elevator of Dawn, as well as a shareholder in Farmer’s Elevator of Dawn. He was a longtime supporter of both 4-H and FFA. Most importantly, he always enjoyed time spent with family and friends.
Josef is survived by his wife, Gertrud of Hereford; his children, Jeanette (Uli) Dreifuerst of San Ramon, California; Christopher (Judith) Grotegut of Hereford, Texas; Monica (Scott) Kilgren of Dublin, Ohio; and Donna (Matt) Heidkamp of Chicago, Illinois; 11 grandchildren, Christian, Andreas (Katie), Julia (Matheus), and Anna Dreifuerst; Johan and Josef Grotegut; Brady and Hanna Kilgren; Joe, Max, and Gunnar Heidkamp; and one great-grandchild, Hazel Dreifuerst. Josef is preceded in death by his daughter, Mary Ann, parents, and siblings.
**In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Texas Panhandle Catholic Charities (https://cctxp.org/donate), Deaf Smith County 4-H (DS Parents Association PO Box 953 Hereford, TX 79045), or the charity of your choice.