Jean Groff
Jean Marie Groff, 95, of Ossian, formerly of Johnston, passed away October 9, 2019 at the Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, October 29 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Ossian. The Rev. Robert Gross will be the celebrant.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 29 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. before mass time at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Ossian. Inurnment will be held Wednesday, October 30 at 3 p.m. at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Cemetery, Ossian.
Jean (Becker) Groff was born February 20, 1924 in Ossian, the daughter of Charles and Mary (Peyer) Becker. She graduated from De Sales High School in Ossian and attended Hamilton Business College.
June 9, 1947, she was united in marriage to Frank Clarence Groff at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian. After Frank’s graduation from University of Iowa Pharmacy school, they moved to Cresco, where she was a charter member of the Cimota Club. In 1956, they moved to Postville, where they owned and operated Groff Drug. Jean was actively involved in the business of managing the cosmetics, greeting cards and soda fountain.
She was an avid bridge player and enjoyed bowling on a league and was a member of the Rosary Society at St Bridget’s Catholic Church while in Postville. She also loved to play sports with the kids in their backyard after evening meals. She enjoyed extended camping trips across the country with her family in the early 1960s. In 1967 the family moved to Waukon, where Jean began a career with Sears. Additional moves took them to Waverly and Charles City, where Jean continued her career with Sears.
In Charles City, Jean was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Rosary Society and St. Catherine’s Circle. She retired from Sears in 1983. Jean and Frank loved to golf and were members of the Wildwood Golf Club in Charles City and the Waukon Country Club. Upon retirement, Frank and Jean spent their winters in Mesa, AZ. Jean moved to Johnston in 2010 and returned to Ossian in 2017. Her pastimes included beautiful counted cross-stitch, playing cards, biking and working in the yard.
Jean and Frank were the proud parents of three children, all of whom survive: David of Atlanta, GA, Mary (Howard) Eikenberry of Urbandale and Robert (Patricia) of West Chester, PA. Her four grandchildren brought her great joy: Erin (Brook) Rumford and Christopher Groff of West Chester, PA, Emily Eikenberry of Des Moines and Sarah Eikenberry of Ocala, FL. She was blessed with twin great-grandsons in April 2019, Calder and Brooklyn Rumford of West Chester, PA. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Arline Becker of Decorah, and many niece and nephews. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Frank, January 6, 2004; her sisters, Helen Loftus, Gladys Innes and Kathryn Cole; and her brothers, Richard Becker and Dr. R.J. Becker.
Condolences may be left with www.graufuneralhomes.com. Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Ossian is in charge of arrangements.
