Garret Littlejohn


Garret William Littlejohn

Garret William Littlejohn, son of William Garret Littlejohn and Leona Loretta Buethe was born on August 22, 1943, in Watertown, New York. His family moved to Tecumseh, Nebraska, at a young age where he grew up with his brother Leonard. He lived the typical "small town life" and enjoyed the occasional company at the pool hall.

Garret was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in Tecumseh.

At the age of 15, he began working for the local grocery store while attending school. Garret graduated from Tecumseh High School with the Class of 1961.

After graduation, he was drafted to the United States Army in 1965 and served in the Vietnam War. For his service, Garret received a letter of recognition, two Bronze Stars and was honorably discharged in 1967.

Garret moved back to Nebraska and purchased his first grocery store in Tekamah. Over the next 50 years, he owned and operated 20 plus stores throughout the United States. Garret was a very successful business owner, starting with little to nothing. He was a mentor to many and helped them get started in the grocery business.

Garret was blessed with three loving children from previous marriages Tammy, Lora, and Greg. In 1988, Garret met the love of his life, Patricia Stoffer and they were instant life-long partners. They were united in marriage on Patti's birthday, October 26 in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. From this marriage, Garret found that his family grew from three children to five. He truly loved Patti's children as his own.

He was a lifetime member of the VFW, actively volunteered in community services and was an Elder at his church. Garret loved antique cars, especially Corvettes and Hot Rods. Even more than cars, Garret loved to travel with Patti; they've been on more than 50 cruises together. He was a true "people person" and could light up a room just by walking into it. Some of his family's fondest memories are the nicknames he had for them and his time spent with his grandchildren.

The angels came for Garret on July 15, 2020, at the age of 76 years, 10 months, and 24 days. Garret passed away at the Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, Florida, with Patti by his side and his "Guardian Angel", Grandma Martha, calling his name.

Garret was preceded in death by his parents, William and Leona and his grandparents.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 32 years Patricia Littlejohn of Bradenton, Florida; five children Tammy (Craig) Johnson of Sidney, Iowa; Lora (Neal) Blomenkamp of Scotts Bluff, Nebraska; Greg (Jennifer) Littlejohn of Clarion, Iowa; Gina (Chad) Schlepp of Lake View, Iowa; Rachel (Matt) Cox of Bondurant, Iowa; ten grandchildren Spencer (Taylor) Blomenkamp, Brooke (Chris) Samuelson, Tanner Blomenkamp, Nicholas Johnson, Courtney (Holden) Walton, Jarrod Littlejohn, Merrison Schlepp, Connor Cox, Greeley Schlepp, Ella Cox; two great-grandchildren and one on the way; brother Leonard (Bernadette) Littlejohn of Chappell, Nebraska; one nephew, three nieces; many friends and extended family.

A memorial service will be held on August 22, 2020, at Faith Lutheran Church in Parrish, Florida, at 10:30 AM. Services are pending in the Midwest at a later date. Garret's final resting place will be at the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC, at a later date in 2021.