Olive Groth

Groth, Olive L. "Ollie" MIDDLETON - Olive L. "Ollie" Groth, age 92, peacefully entered into eternal life with the Savior on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007, at the Attic Angel Health Center, Middleton. She was born on May 15, 1914, in New Glarus, the daughter of Herman and Barbara (Hoesly) Becker. Ollie graduated from New Glarus High School, then attended the Wisconsin Academy of Music in Madison, receiving a certificate as a piano educator. Upon graduation she began teaching piano, giving lessons to eighty students per week at the height of her career. She continued giving lessons on a part-time basis after retirement, up until the time of a disabling stroke in December 2005. As a gifted and accomplished musician and church organist, she was invited to play piano/organ at numerous area churches and funeral homes, including West Middleton Lutheran. Ollie also played for silent movies in Madison at the Capitol and Orpheum Theaters. While not one to boast of her accomplishments, she was proud of her dedicated services as organist at St. Lukes Lutheran, Middleton, for 56 years. Then she served as substitute pianist at Peace Lutheran, Waunakee for their Saturday evening service. During her long and illustrative music career, she hosted numerous recitals and gave many students their start and life-long appreciation of piano. Many former students have remained friends and she has been proud of those who went on to further their music education. Ollie was a lifetime member of the Melody Chapter, 150, Order of Eastern Star, and received their lifetime achievement award for 50 years of service. She married Wilson Groth on June 29, 1936. Together they owned and operated Groth Barber Shop in downtown Middleton. In June 2002, she moved into the Middleton Glen Retirement Community where she met many new friends. After moving to Attic Angel Place, she participated in many activities including the art and craft studio where she learned and enjoyed making beaded jewelry. Ollie is survived by a nephew, Forest Ott of New Glarus; niece, Georgia B. Ascher of Madison; devoted cousin, Viola Haines of New Glarus; a godchild, Steve Kosa of River Falls; other cousins; many "special" friends; and former students. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sisters and their husbands, Alice (Oscar) Dietsch and Clara (Henry) Ott; and a sister-in-law, Geneva W. (Wilson) Ascher. A celebration of Ollies life will be held at PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 701 Century Ave., Waunakee, on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2006 at 1 p.m. with the Revs. Bruce Engebretson and Curt Everson presiding. Visitation will be held on Thursday at church from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., with an Order of the Eastern Star service beginning at 11 a.m. Private family burial will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ronald McDonald House or for a music scholarship to be set up at a later date. Ollies niece, Georgia and friends, Richard and Meg LaBrie, extend their appreciative thanks to the staff at Attic Angel Place and to Ollies loyal and regular visitors for their care and presence. Special thanks to Dr. Gregory Sheehy, the Gunderson staff, and to Pastors Curt Everson and Bruce Engebretson for their compassionate care, support and living kindness. God bless you. Ollie was a faith based person and lived her life by that faith. Her personal creed could perhaps best be summarized in the following quote: "In relation to others, gratitude is good manners; in relation to ourselves, it is a habit of the heart and a spiritual discipline." -Daphne Rose Kingma. Ollie will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. Gunderson West Funeral and Cremation Centers 7435 University Ave. (608) 831-6761 www.gundersonfh.com