Carolyn Groth
Carolyn Groth, 86, of Gladbrook, IA passed away Sunday, November 9, 2025, at Glenwood Place in Marshalltown, IA. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Peace United Church of Christ in Gladbrook. Visitation will be held beginning 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 14, 2025, at the church. A luncheon will follow the services at the Gladbrook Memorial Hall. Private family burial will take place at Crystal Cemetery in rural Gladbrook. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Peace United Church of Christ or the Gladbrook Community Foundation in her honor. Anderson Funeral Homes has been entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonfhs.com.
Carolyn Kay was born September 23, 1939, to Archie and Betty (Gaunt) Smaha in Marshalltown, IA. Upon graduating high school as valedictorian, she worked at Lennox for three years. Carolyn was united in marriage to Darrel Groth on July 9, 1960, at Friends Church in LeGrand, IA. The two built a life as a true team on their farm in rural Gladbrook. Carolyn worked alongside Darrel on the farm and was one of the most hardworking people her family had met. The dynamic duo worked hard and played harder, always together and always had the same common goals. They enjoyed dancing until they couldn’t anymore. After Darrel’s passing in 1999, Carolyn always said how important it was to laugh and enjoy life.
Carolyn was a member of the Peace United Church of Christ and the Gladbrook Woman’s Club, where she served as president for two years. Later in life, Carolyn’s hard work ethic brought her to work part time for Security Bank in Gladbrook. She enjoyed her card and bowling groups and never missed a Wednesday morning coffee group. Most of all, Carolyn loved and cared for her family.
Carolyn will be missed by her two children, Sherri (Dave) Denbow of Gladbrook and Duane (Kari) Groth of Traer, four grandchildren; Ashley (Denbow) Steven of Toledo, IA, Jared Denbow of Gladbrook, Heidi (Sean) Williams of Marshalltown, and Blaine (Delaney) Groth of Rhodes, IA, seven great-grandchildren; Bentley, Carter, and Jackson Steven, and Tate, Rhett, Cruz, and Mila Williams, and two siblings, Bill (Donna) Smaha of Altoona, IA and Cathy Smaha of Centennial, CO.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Darrel, her parents, one nephew, Richard Smaha, and her sister-in-law, Lois Groth.