Nils Frederick Grossman was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 13, 1951, the only child of Charlotte Josephine Groethe and Harold Frederick (H.F.) Grossman. He died of natural causes at his home in Elk Point, South Dakota on January 29, 2025, at the age of 73.

Nils attended grade school in Elk Point, and was fortunate to live close by his extended family including his Aunt Dona Groethe and grandparents, Ole Gerhard Groethe and Clara Johnson Groethe. Later, after Nils and his mother moved to Sioux Falls, he received his secondary education at Washington Senior High School. Nils had a sharp intellect and loved language, including Latin, which he studied under the masterful instruction of Miss Ellen Skaff. He was confirmed at First Lutheran Church by the Rev. Marcus Gravdal.

After high school, Nils attended Augustana College, graduating summa cum laude (History). A few weeks after graduation, on June 7, 1974, Nils married Ann Evangeline Kennedy. He has, since then, been a cherished member of her family.

Nils worked his way through high school and college. One of his employers was Robson Hardware on West 12th Street, whose proprietor, Senator Keith Paisley, was his lifetime mentor and the finest man he ever knew.

In 1979, Nils received a law degree with cum laude honors from the University of Minnesota Law School in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Nils had a distinguished legal career, serving first as corporate counsel for S.J. Groves & Sons, a large construction company that built bridges and dams. Later, Nils practiced law at the Minneapolis firm Briggs & Morgan, where he was a partner and chair of the construction law group. Prior to his retirement, Nils was General Counsel to the Metropolitan Council, a regional policymaking and planning agency.

Besides being whip-smart, Nils was a kind and generous man who made a difference in the lives of many. He is survived by his beloved Aunt Dona, his best man and life-long friend, Mark Paisley, his cousins, Larry Groethe, Gary Groethe (Lynn), and Rhetta Wilson (John), his friend and stepbrother Ted Lande (Susan), his former wife and her family, and many other relatives and friends. Preceding him to Valhalla (his words) were his parents and grandparents, his stepfather Oliver Lande, his aunt and uncle Viola and Mons Groethe, his dear friend and S.J. Groves colleague, Robert E. Wolfe, and his precious rescue pugs, Timmy, Trixie, Kato, Lily, and dearest Ray.

Services for Nils will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church in rural Elk Point, South Dakota on Friday, February 7, 2025 beginning at 1:00 p.m. Please send any memorials to Minnesota Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, Minnesota Pug Rescue, or the charity of your choice.