Judith G. Groth

Judith Gale (Symes) Groth, a longtime resident of Little Fall, Minn., and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, and friend, peacefully passed away on Friday, June 23, 2017 at St. Otto’s Care Center in Little Falls. Judy was born in Laona (Forest County), Wisc., on March 1, 1940, to Mabel (Renne) and Harold Symes. Judy’s father passed away when she was three years old, and she and her four siblings were raised by their mother in Wabeno, Wisc. Judy earned her diploma from Oregon High School in 1958, and her bachelor of science degree in education from Northland College in Ashland in 1962. Judy began her teaching career at Nekoosa High School, where she met her future husband, Emil Groth. Judy and Emil were married in Menomonie Falls on June 6, 1964. They relocated to Cosmos, Minn., where they both taught at Cosmos High School, and where Judy gave birth to their first daughter, Jennifer (Burr) in 1968. The family moved to Little Falls in the summer of 1969, where Judy was a stay-at-home mom, and where Emil began his career as a Little Falls High School counselor and coach. In 1970 they welcomed their second daughter, Mary. Judy returned to work outside the home as a substitute teacher in 1974, and taught for a few years at Little Falls Middle School before becoming a math teacher at Royalton High School in 1983. Royalton students remember “General Judy” as a strict but lovable teacher and mentor. She served as National Honor Society advisor during her tenure at Royalton. She retired from teaching in 1999. Judy was a devoted mother and grandmother. She loved attending all of her grandsons’ birthdays, sports, and theater and music performances – most recently in April, when she watched two of her grandsons perform in the high school musical, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." Judy also enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, including socializing with her many “cronies.” She enjoyed quilting, sewing, reading, Sudoku, and bird watching. She loved pets, especially cats and dogs. Since 1991 Judy served in the charitable sorority P.E.O. International (Chapter BB), and throughout her life she participated in community and school events. Judy loved sports of all kinds, and was named “sports fan of the year” at Little Falls High School. Also she loved many kinds of music, from jazz and Broadway show tunes to the oldies, especially Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. Judy is remembered as a deeply loving and selfless person, whose influence will be felt for generations to come. Her loss is deeply felt by her family, friends, and community. Judy is survived by her husband of 53 years Emil Groth, daughters Jennifer (Burr) and Mary, son-in-law Michael Burr, grandsons Mitchell, Lucas, and Eric, siblings Janice (Mattson) of Novato, Calif., and Richard Symes and Nancy (Davies) of Wabeno, and numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends, including her cat Milo. She is preceded in death by her parents, and her siblings Arlene and Gene Repinski, William Mattson, and James and Joan (Huff) Symes. Judy’s family will host a visitation at Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls on Thursday, July 6, from 5 to 8 p.m., and a celebration of Judy’s life on Friday, July 7 at the Camp Ripley Memorial Chapel (visitation at 12:00 noon and service at 1:00 p.m.), followed by inurnment at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Camp Ripley. The family requests that any donations in memoriam be directed to the P.E.O. Minnesota Home Fund (c/o Jennifer Burr) or the CentraCare Health Foundation Cancer Care Fund (www.centracare.com/foundation/ways-to-give/).

Tributes

Judith G. Groth

March 1, 1940 - June 23, 2017