Edna L. (Lindvall) Groom

Edna L. Groom, age 87, of Rowan passed away Thursday January 8, 2015 at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond.

Edna was born on January 30, 1927 in rural Clarion. She was the oldest daughter of Nils and Violet (Lukens) Lindvall. She passed away on January 8, 2015 at the Belmond Rehabilitation Center. She grew up on a farm outside of Clarion and attended country school until high school. She graduated from Clarion High School. After graduation she attended Normal Training at Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls and then taught country school in several country schools in Grant and Lincoln townships. On June 15, 1946 she married Thomas Roy Groom and they had four children, Lennea Groom of Rowan, Nancy Anderberg (Mike Thompson) of Rowan, Joel Groom (Jackie) of Garner and Robert Groom of Mason City.

Tom and Edna farmed for many years in the Rowan area. She was an active member of her community and thrived on raising her family. She was a fabulous cook and loved to raise a garden. Her children and grandchildren especially desired her homemade bread and cinnamon rolls. After moving into Rowan, Edna babysat in her home for several area kids for many years. She also owned and operated the Rowan Café on Main Street before turning to 10 years of managing and cooking for Congregate Meals. Another passion of both Tom and Edna was their many mission trips to Mexico and Alaska with the VIN and Heifer projects. Tom and Edna moved back onto her family farm for a few years where Tom again farmed. Edna served on the Opportunities Unlimited Board of Directors in Clarion for 12 years. When they retired they moved back to Rowan and resided there for many years until moving to Clarion.

Edna was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law.

She is survived by her husband, Tom, and her children, seven grandchildren, Jessica Roma (Travis) of Fort Meyers, FL, Andy Kalkwarf of Andover, KS, Christopher Helland (Krystal) of Phoenix, AZ, Michael Helland of Urbandale, IA, Karlene Groom of Mt. Horeb, WI, Shaun Groom (Mitzi) of Klemme, IA, Joshua Groom, Clive, IA, Christopher Turner of San Francisco, CA, Nathan Groom (Alyssa) of Urbana, IA and Matthew Groom of West Des Moines, IA, seven great-grandchildren, a brother, Richard Lindvall, a sister, Joanne White, two sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law and countless extended family members.