Frances Groth

Frances Groth, a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away suddenly on September 24th in Las Vegas, NV of natural causes. Frances LaVonne Rubenbauer was born March 12th, 1939 and raised in rural Marshalltown, Iowa. Graduating from LeGrand High in 1957, She married Elvin Groth January 31st, 1960 and they farmed in Green Mountain, LeGrand, Dillon and rural Marshalltown until his unexpected passing in 1996. During this time she worked side by side with him raising crops, cattle, hogs and turkeys as well as for AEA 6 delivering Media to schools across Marshall County. With this busy schedule she still found time to mow the lawns of several family members, produce large gardens and fruit trees that she turned into canning, freezing and large production of pies and her famous apple dumplings. She also supported her 3 daughters in all of their school and extra curricular activities which included 4-H and FFA, taking them to cattle shows, carpooling them to basketball, track, softball and band practices. She loved arranging and cooking for the girls basketball end of the season parties. Fran was very active on church committees and an active member of many associations to include AAL, Cattlewomen and The Pork Producers.She was nurse to many orphaned animals on the farm that included raccoons, kittens, baby calves and many more. She had a unique gift of healing that comforted many. Her passion for reading cookbooks, creating menus and cooking for large crowds was evident in her organization and production of their Annual Threshers Reunion that she and Elvin held on their farm for many years, attracting hundreds of people from across the country. She loved cooking at the Early Morning Easter Sunrise Service breakfast at Dillon Trinity Lutheran Church along with any Cattlewomen Association events and an annual New Years Eve Afternoon party. She enjoyed making arrangements and traveling to the Iowa Basketball games with her daughters. An avid Hawkeye fan she still followed both basketball and football, watching all games on satellite tv and attending any games played out west. Fran was admired by all because she was fun, energetic and hard working. She was the best hostess you could ever have, gracious, giving and never selfish. She always had a smile and a helping hand ready for you. She moved to Las Vegas in 1997 with two of her daughters and her grandchildren. During the past 10 years she has enjoyed many new adventures, travels and being hostess to frequent friends and relatives. She was able to see several of her favorite artists performing on stage that included her boyfriend Barry Manalow, Prince, Cher, Johnnie Mathis and other shows. Although she could have stayed retired she remained very active even working up until the calling of our Lord on Monday. She passed doing what she loved to do and that was working for Right Away Delivery making deliveries to businesses and locals including Bundt Cakes, Flowers and Federal Express deliveries. She knew the streets and suburbs of Las Vegas as if she lived there her entire life. She loved her kitties, shopping, watching her other boyfriend Bob Barker on The Price is Right, cooking large and wonderful meals and having the freedom to visit her daughter and son-in-law in Minnesota and her daughter, granddaughter and grandson in New Jersey. Her favorite food was Maid Rites from Marshalltown and she received several care packages from her bestest friends Dick and Mary Lou Rubenbauer and sister and brother-in-law Ruthie and Donnie each time they came to visit and as gift deliveries. She is survived by her 3 daughters twins Kristine Drinovsky and Kim Groth Kerns (David), Mary Rue (Joe) her granddaughter Hillary Drinovsky, grandson Nicholas Drinovsky, step grand daughter Nicole (Kerns) Carlson and step great grandson Cody Carlson. Her faithful sister and friend Ruth Lupardus (Donald), 2 sister-in-laws (Sue and Hatti) and brother-in-law Marvin. Several cousins, nieces and nephews, along with many, many loving friends and relatives. She leaves a huge hole in many lives and will be forever missed and always in our hearts. She was preceded in death by husband Elvin, parents, Edith and Elmer Rubenbauer, mother and father-in-law Emma and Louis Groth, sister-in-law Betty (Groth) Luethje and brother-in-law, Larry Groth, nephews Roger Lupardus, Steve and Greg Groth. Visitation with the family will take place on Friday, September 28th from 5-7pm at Mitchell Family Home. Services will be held on Saturday, September 29th at Dillon Trinity Lutheran Church at 11:00am followed by a luncheon