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Photo of Thomas R. Groom

Thomas R. Groom

5/1/1926 - 12/20/2017


Obituary


Thomas Groom, 91, of Rowan passed away Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond.

Memorial services for Thomas Groom will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at the United Church of Rowan, 811 Pesch Street in Rowan, with Pastor Nancy Hofmeister and Pastor David Wagner officiating.

Visitation for Thomas Groom will be held one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church.

Graveside services for Thomas and Edna Groom will be held Saturday, June 23, 2018 at 11:00AM at Graceland Cemetery in rural Rowan.  Military honors for Thomas will be provided by Rowan American Legion Post #159.

Thomas Roy Groom was born on May 1, 1926 in Geneva, Iowa, the son of James and Celia (Azeltine) Groom. He passed away at the Belmond Rehabilitation Center on Wednesday, December 20, 2017. Tom graduated from Rowan Consolidated High School in 1944. On July 1, 1944 Tom enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp and on August 9, 1944 he left for Guam where he served as a Central Fire Controller in a B29 during W.W. II. He returned to the U.S. on April 22, 1946 and returned to Rowan on April 28, 1946.

On June 15, 1947 he was united in marriage to Edna Lennea Lindvall at the United Methodist Church in Clarion, IA. They had four children, Lennea Groom, Rowan, IA; Nancy Anderberg, Belmond, IA; Joel Groom (Jackie), Picacho, AZ, and Robert Groom, Mason City, IA. Tom farmed for many years in the Rowan area and also for 1 year south of Jefferson, IA. In 1959 the family moved to Pocahontas where Tom sold Vigortone Feeds. In 1960 the family moved back to Rowan and Tom took over the Standard Oil tank wagon from D.K. Stout. He also ran the Rowan Stock Yards when his father became ill and was unable to run the business. In the 70’s Tom once again went back to farming on Edna’s family farm east of Clarion and eventually retired and moved back to Rowan.

Tom was an active member of the United Methodist and United Church of Rowan. He was a member of the Andrew Whitten Legion Post 159 for 71 years. He was an avid gardener and eventually achieved Master Gardener. One of Tom’s favorite activities was riding RAGBRAI for thirteen years with family and friends. He also very much enjoyed his numerous trips as a Volunteer in Mission including Mexico, Russia, Alaska and Haiti.

In 2004 Tom became the Mayor of Rowan and served in that capacity until 2008. Tom played an instrumental role in building the new library and community center on Main Street. Tom and Edna moved to the Meadows in Clarion for several years until Edna became ill and eventually ended up in Belmond.

Tom is survived by his four children, ten grandchildren, Jessica Roma, Colorado Springs, CO, Andrew Kalkwarf, Andover, KS, Christopher (Krystal) Helland, Phoenix, AZ, Michael Helland, Grimes, IA, Karlene Groom, Mt. Horab, WI, Shaun Groom, Klemme, IA, Joshua Groom, Clive, IA, Christopher Turner, San Francisco, CA, Nathan (Alyssa) Groom, Urbana, IA, and Matthew Groom, Des Moines, IA; eight great-grandchildren, Cody & Keira Denys, Katherine and Tyler Groom, Ethan Groom, Ellie and Henry Groom and Piper Helland; one brother, Dwight Groom (Marjorie) of Rowan; one sister-in-law, Joann White and one brother-in-law, Richard Lindvall both of Clarion; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, two sisters, Darlene Fletcher and husband Merle of Clarion and Margrete Jones and husband Ordean of Dows and brother-in-law, Jim White of Clarion.

Memorials may be directed to Rowan Improvement Foundation, Rowan Historical Society, or to Tom Groom’s family, 905 West Broadway Street in Rowan, Iowa 50470.