GROH, Karl

GROH, DUMLER, FAIRBANKS, ALERT, JANSSEN, PALS, CROW, EDEN, HEGG, MILLER, WENDEL

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/30/2018 at 22:57:02

Obituary ~ Karl Groh
May 05, 1921 ~ March 10, 2000

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Monday, March 13, 2000

MASON CITY -- Karl Groh, 78, of 73 Briarstone Court, died Friday (March 10, 2000) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit after a recent diagnosis of leukemia.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Messiah Lutheran Church, Highway 122 East, with the Rev. Daird Korth officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City. Visitation will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. today at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., and one hour prior to services at the church.

Memorials may be directed to the Messiah Lutheran Church Building Fund, where Karl spent his last year dedicated to the planning and construction of the new Messiah Lutheran Church, a project dear to his heart.

Karl was born May 5, 1921, in Britt, the son of Henry and Catherine (Dumler) Groh. He attended Mason City schools. As a youth he participated in the Iowa Golden Gloves boxing competitions.

Karl was united in marriage to Doris R. Fairbanks on Oct. 13, 1940, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church parsonage by Rev. C.A. Hinz. He served in the United States Navy during World War II.

He owned and operated Karl Groh Construction Company and later Groh Alert Excavating in partnership with his son-in-law, Ken Alert. He retired in 1984.

He took an interest in numerous civic and political activities. He was an accomplished bowler, being inducted into the Hall of Fame here in Mason City, and an avid golfer, winning many tournaments in both sports. He was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church, Mason City Men's Bowling Association, Highland Park Men's League and past chairman of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where he held numerous positions. He especially enjoyed family get-togethers with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Those thankful for sharing his life and who are benefiting from his influence and guidance include his wife of 59 years, Doris, of Mason City; daughters, Kathy and her husband, Clyde Janssen, of Clear Lake, Linda and her husband, Ken Alert, of Mason City; Karla and her husband, Larry Pals, of Belmond, and Kris and her husband, Randy Crow, of Wheaton, Ill.; 16 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Molly Eden of Davenport, Ann Hegg of California and Marie and her husband, Victor Miller, of Mason City; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, one sister and one son-in-law, Donald D. Wendel.

Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, (515) 423-0924.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2018