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Photo of Dwight W. Groom

Dwight W. Groom

8/30/1931 - 8/2/2019


Obituary


Dwight W. Groom, 87, of Rowan, passed away on Friday, August 2, 2019 at the Clarion Wellness and Rehabilitation Center.

Funeral services for Dwight Groom will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, August 5, 2019 at United Church of Rowan, 811 Pesch Street in Rowan, with Pastor Nancy Hofmeister officiating. Burial will take place at Graceland Cemetery in Rowan.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 4, 2019 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Home, 1801 Central Avenue East in Clarion.

Dwight Wesley Groom was born August 30, 1931 to James and Celia (Azeltine) Groom in Fresno, California. The family relocated to Rowan when he was a young boy, and he attended Rowan schools, graduating in 1949.

Following graduation, Dwight enlisted in the United States Army, serving with the 7th Infantry Division in Korea and the 10th Infantry Division in Fort Riley, Kansas.

After his discharge from the service, Dwight returned to Rowan and was united in marriage to Marjorie J. McKinley on April 29, 1956. The couple made their home in Rowan for a time before moving to a farm northeast of Rowan. The family later farmed and raised Red Angus cattle west of Rowan and south of Galt. Dwight and Marjorie retired from farming in 2001 and moved into town.

In addition to farming, Dwight worked at the ASCS office where he measured land. He was the superintendent of the Dows Golf Course for 9 years, also serving on that board for 3 years. He was a member of the Wright County Beef Producers.

Dwight was a longtime member of the United Church of Rowan, serving on various church committees over the years. He was very passionate about serving with the Holmes Christmas Club, where he was an elf for many years before being promoted to Santa Clause, a role he played for 20 years.

Dwight enjoyed playing golf, watching his beloved L.A. Dodgers and Iowa State Cyclones. He attended countless piano and dance recitals and sporting events of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Dwight loved his pets. He was a simple man with a quick wit that everyone enjoyed. He stood up for the underdog and believed in giving second chances.

Dwight is survived by his wife, Marjorie of Rowan; children Jane (Dennis) McGrath of Clarion, Charles (Lorissa) Groom of Rowan and Linda (Jim) Pierce of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota; grandchildren Denae McGrath, Randy (Jamie) McGrath, James Ingebritson, Chase (Halee) Ingebritson, Mac Pierce and Kailey Pierce; 11 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, along with other family members and friends.

Dwight was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter Ellen Mary Groom; sisters Darlene (Merle) Fletcher and Margrete (Ronald Ordean) Jones; brother Tom (Edna) Groom; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Esther and Lawrence Long.