October 24, 1945 – January 24, 2026
Zelda M. Groh, 80, of Manly passed away peacefully Saturday, January 24, 2026, at her home.
Memorial Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 30, 2026, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 428 W. Walnut St., Manly, IA 50456, with Pastor Linda Johnson Prestholt officiating. Inurnment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, at a later date. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.
Zelda May Martinie was born October 24, 1945, in Mason City, the daughter of Joseph and Myrtle (Bork) Martinie. She grew up in Mason City and attended Mason City High School, graduating in 1964. On August 21, 1965, she married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Alan Groh, in Mason City. They shared 61 years of marriage and were blessed with three children, Travis, Lance, and Montgomery “Monte.”
The family made their home in Mason City before following Alan’s work to Kansas City, Missouri, eventually settling in Manly in 1978. What was meant to be a temporary move into Zelda’s aunt’s home became their forever home, where they built and added on through the years to fit their growing family. Zelda worked for many years at First State Bank before serving the City of Manly as Deputy Clerk and later as City Clerk, retiring after many years of dedicated service.
Zelda truly enjoyed people and visiting. She loved staying connected, whether through conversation, phone calls, or keeping up with family on social media. Most of all, Zelda loved her family, especially her grandchildren. She took great joy in following their lives and adventures, always cheering them on and staying up to date, no matter the distance.
Zelda and Alan were longtime members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Manly.
Surviving are her husband, Alan; children, Travis (Lori) Groh of Mankato and Lance (April) Groh of Sheffield; grandchildren, Ariel Groh, Chase Groh, Nathan Groh, Bryce Groh, Aidan Groh, Cooper Groh, Brandy (Zach) Markert, and Alex Nicholson; great-grandchildren, Lilly and Kyla; and many extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son who passed in infancy, Monte; and her sister, JoAnn (Elroy) Ellingson.
Bride Colonial Chapel. 110 East Spring Street, Manly, IA 50456. 641-454-2242.
ColonialChapels.com