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GROTH, Cecelia S. Halstenson 1859-1919

GROTH, HALSTENSON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 8/5/2010 at 11:23:47

OBITUARY

The following obituary was taken from the St. Ansgar newspaper and as the, lady was a sister of C. S. Halstenson, it will be read by many of our readers who were acquainted with the estimable lady.

Mrs. J. A. Groth, whose maiden name was Celia** S. Halstenson, was born at Elgin, Iowa, September 10, 1859, to the parents Syver H. and Gro Halstenson. She was baptized the same year in the Clermont Lutheran Congregation Clermont, Iowa. On June 13, 1875, she was confirmed in the Lutheran Faith at Elgin, Iowa.

She was married to Mr. Jacob A. Groth on December 29, 1882, and came to St. Ansgar with her husband shortly after. They started housekeeping at the old Groth Homestead where they have made their home ever since. To this union five children were born: Clara, Adolph, Alma, Joseph and William.

To mourn the loss of a beloved sister, wife, mother and companion Mrs. Groth leaves Grandma Groth, three brothers and two sisters with her husband and children and a host of other relatives and friends who will always remember Mrs. Groth as one who always walked in the ways of unassuming kindness, love and peace.

It is a case of particular sadness to the friends and relatives of Mrs. Groth that her son Adolph, who it is thought will very shortly get his discharge from overseas service, could not be present at his mother's funeral Adolph was particularly concerned about his mother's health and welfare and often wrote to his dear ones, his friends and his pastor and mentioned his solicitation for his mother. An attempt to have a personal appeal made at Boston for his immediate release and a corresponding postponement of the funeral was contemplated but was given up because of the uncertainty attending every phase of such an attempt and because of the utter lack of assuring information as to the definite date of the landing of the army unit to which Adolph belongs.

Adolph will be remembered as the boy who was offered and could have had exemption from the service of his country and refused to accept it. Sad as will be his experience in returning hopeful of soon seeing all his dear ones, yet to find his mother's place a vacant chair-—the heart that refused offered exemption of service will give his mother the best of all service in taking his saddest of sorrows to the friend of every sad heart who has called his mother to her last, happy resting place.

Mrs. Groth was in fairly good health all her life with the exception that she had a few attacks of gall stone pains once in a while. About a month ago she had an attack that was more severe than usual and on the advice of her physician she had an operation performed. The operation was successful and Mrs. Groth was getting along very nicely. She was even progressing better than could be expected. Every indication pointed to her early return to her home In good health. Her husband had returned to St. Ansgar, as there was no indication of any. need of his remaining any longer at the hospital. Her daughter Clara remained at Hampton as a companion to her mother.

About midnight, June 4, Mrs. Groth called her special nurse, who at once saw that something was wrong. She immediately called one of the doctors, who happened to be at the hospital, and he came immediately, but nothing could be done for her. She died within a few minutes, apparently of an apoplectic stroke. Her death came most unexpectedly.

Her daughter Clara visited with her at 9:30 p.m., at which time she was in the best of spirits. Her nurse noticed that she went to sleep about 10:30. At eleven o'clock Mrs. Groth was sleeping soundly and the nurse went to bed in the same room. Within an hour from this time, when all looked so favorable, the fatal stroke came.

Mrs. Groth stated several times to her husband that she was willing to put everything regarding her operation and health in the hands of her Heavenly Father. She told her pastor that she believed in the forgiveness of her sins for the sake of her Saviour. Her pastor administered Holy Communion to her, her husband and daughter and Mr. and Mrs. O. Tidemanson on the day before the operation and she expressed her confidence and faith.

The funeral was held Sunday afternoon, June 8, Rev. Waldeland officiating, and her remains were laid to rest in the Evergreen*** Lutheran Cemetery.

Those present from away were: Mr. E. S. Halstenson, Elkader, Iowa; Mr. H. S. Halstenson, Elgin, Iowa; Mr. C. S. Halstenson, Elgin, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Petterson, Battle Lake, Minn. (Mrs. Petterson is a sister of Mrs. Groth), Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Houg, Elgin, Iowa; Mr. John Erickson, Clermont, Iowa; Mrs. E. B. Schorl, Elgin, Iowa and Mrs. M. J. Kohler, Elgin, Iowa.

The funeral was very largely attended and a, wealth of floral, offerings was in evidence as tokens of respect and love which Mrs. Groth was accorded by her many friends and fellow members of her congregation. A large number of friends from neighboring congregations were present at the funeral.

Elgin Echo, Elgin, Iowa, June 26, 1919

** Note: Yes, the newspaper spelled it "Celia".

*** Note: Evergreen cemetery is now known as First Lutheran Cemetery.

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#2:
Photo of the Jacob Groth family from "Mitchell County History" 1989, page 296.


 

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