Obituary of Albert Groff

Albert Philip Groff was born January 8, 1914, the fourth son of Henry Edwin "Ed" Groff and Mary "Mae" (Lorch) Groff, near Dundee, Minnesota. The family moved to the May City area a year later. He attended rural schools near May City, completing the eighth grade. High school was not an option at that time, but he did finish his education in 1987 with a GED from Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, Iowa. Albert helped with farming until 1937, and then started working for a Hartley building contractor. In 1942, Albert was drafted into the United States Army and served in the North Pacific and Germany until 1945. On July 6, 1941, Albert married Meta Brockshus, the daughter of Henry and Dora Brockshus, also of May City. He was confirmed and married in the new St. John's Lutheran church where he remained an active member. Albert and Meta lived most of their married life in May City, where he operated a construction business. He built many homes, several churches and numerous farm buildings. He enjoyed amateur radio (call sign K0WKT), crossword puzzles, Scrabble, and fishing. Albert passed away at the Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley on Wednesday, July 24, 2013, at the age of 99. Albert is survived by his children: Alvin (Jane) Groff of Cedar Rapids, IA, Donald (Mary) Groff of Eagan, MN, Janice (Steven) Moore of Cedar Falls, IA, and Norbert (Shirley) Groff of Hartley, IA; five grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, seven step-great-grandchildren, one step-great-great grandchild; and one sister, Carol Neumann of Annandale, MN. He was preceded in death by: Meta, his wife of 69 years (died August 21, 2010); his parents; and four brothers: Herbert, Lloyd, Myrle and Leslie. In loving memory of Albert P. Groff Born ~ January 8, 1914 Died ~ July 24, 2013 Age ~ 99 years 6 months 16 days Funeral Service 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 29, 2013 St. John's Lutheran Church May City, Iowa Officiating ~ Rev. Paul Johnson Organist ~ Luella Heilman Congregational Singing "Jesus, Lead Thou On" "I'm But A Stranger Here" "Lord, Dismiss Us With Your Blessing" Pallbearers David Lorch Maurice Heilman Larry Brockshus Duane Kooistra Dennis Heilman Bruce Lorch Burial Harrison Township Cemetery May City, Iowa