Florence Groth, age 104 of Sac City, IA, passed away on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Park View Rehabilitation Center in Sac City. Florence Evelyn Groth was born on October 3, 1919, on a farm south of Fonda, IA, to parents Walter and Edith (Emmert) Corderman.
From Florence’s notebook: “Dad tried and tried to get the doctor but there was no answer. He hitched up the horse and buggy and drove to Fonda to fetch the doctor. By the time they got back home, I had arrived with the help of Grandma Emmert. The doctor was upset because the office girl had gone to the dance. When I was about three years old the family moved to Grandpa Evan Corderman’s farm in Sac County (Cedar Township). I remember I rode with Grandpa, Sis, and the chickens…mom always had her chickens! I had a brother, Delmar, and sister, Mildred (Sis). Later came Vera, Dean, and Donna.Typical farm family! I was sometimes my Dad’s farm hand as I drove the horses on the drag and the hayrack, etc. Now these things are all gone and not heard of. I also picked corn and got an occasional ear of corn smacking me on the head. Then Sis, and sometimes Mom, had to laugh…not so funny! If Mom wasn’t helping us she was with Delmar.”
"When I was 14, I caught myself on fire on the wood heater in the room I shared with my sister. Dr. Blair came out every day, 5 miles from Lytton, with his nurse who was his daughter in-law. Many months I laid as I healed. Then one day Dad came in and said someone north of us had been in a tornado. So Mom put sheets on the back seat and more to cover my lower half and we went to see the damage. It was someone by the name of Groth. Dad came back to the car and told us about the 16-year-old boy who was in that building that only the cement foundation was left. The boy hung onto the door handle of his Model T Ford. The tornado lifted the building and it was gone leaving only the Ford and the boy who was holding onto the now twisted door handle. He lived to be my sweetheart forever and ever!!!”
Florence attended a one-room country school and always talked of it being her favorite school. She graduated from Lytton High School. On March 21, 1939, Florence married Chris Groth at the Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua, IA. The pastor turned to Florence and said, “Now you’ve got your Groth!” and she got to ring the church bell.
This union was blessed with four children: Glenda, William, Richard and Jean. All very precious to Chris and Florence. They raised their family in the Alta, Newell, and Sac City areas. In addition to being an amazing homemaker, Florence was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed embroidery, baking, quilting, and was an antique enthusiast. She was involved in her community as a 4-H leader, was a member of the United Methodist Church Women’s Circle, and loved playing cards with the Country Club card group. She entered her items in several area county fairs which then took her to the Iowa State Fair where she won a sewing machine. She was quite proud of that sewing machine. Over the years, Florence sewed clothes for her children and eventually grandchildren, even prom and wedding dresses. She also made a quilt for every one of her grandchildren. After they retired, Florence and Chris enjoyed woodworking together, making many treasured family heirlooms
After her beloved Chris passed away, Florence worked part-time in the antique business, which kept her busy for many years. She also believed in pen and paper and communicated that way with all of her family and friends throughout her life. She adored spending time with her family and was so very proud of each and every one of them.
Florence stayed politically active up until the very end of her 104 years. She campaigned for her son Richard who served many terms in the Iowa legislature. She also wrote letters for many other candidates over the years. She took her civic duty quite serious and always made sure she voted as she knew the importance of doing so.
She was blessed to live such a long healthy life here on earth, staying sharp up until the very end. She was always so optimistic throughout all of life's changes and challenges. Florence was and excellent historian/story teller. If you knew her, you loved her. She was a sweet soul and will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Glenda Barnes of Albany, MO, William Groth of Santa Fe, NM, and Jean Rooney of Rosalie, NE; daughter-in-law Patty Groth of Grimes, IA; grandchildren: Beth (Harold) Ellis, Ken (Alicia) Barnes, Lyndon “Cash” Groth, Kelly (Amber) Groth, David (Belvadine) Groth, Angie (Brad) Barber, Kris (Mark) Smith, Dan (Chrissy) Barnes, Troy (Susan) Rooney, Tawnya (Adam) Beermann, Ken (Julie) Groth, Shawn (Erin) Rooney, and Jackie (Tom) Guenther; thirty great-grandchildren; thirty-two great-great grandchildren; one great-great-great grandchild; many nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Chris Groth; parents Walter and Edith Corderman; son Richard Groth; grandson Randy Groth; great-grandson Wesley Rooney; brothers Delmar and Dean Corderman; sisters Mildred Johnson, Vera Mohr, and Donna Borron; sons-in-law Bill Rooney and Leo Barnes.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS memorial contributions may be made to the family who will then disperse to Florence's favorite charities and organizations in her memory.
