Elsa Groe

Elsa Mae Groe, 79, of Ocala, passed away Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at E.W. and Lucille Cates House in Ocala. She was born February 19, 1942, to Orlin and Norma Madson Groe in Lake Mills, Iowa, growing up in rural Northwood, Iowa.Elsa was a graduate of Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, with a degree in Sociology. From there she spent many years working for the State of Wisconsin as a social worker. She was a lifelong diehard Green Bay Packer Fan. Her collection of Brett Favre memorbilia is epic! The neighbors always knew Green Bay was playing by her flag flying on game day from her porch.Moving to Florida with her partner Barb they enjoyed golfing and spending time with family and friends. She was avid gardener, volunteer in her church, and active participant in the Central Florida Master Choir. She enjoyed shuffleboard (winning many a trophy), playing cards with her friends, golfing, and her dogs Babe and Billy. She loved to read and share her libraries with others. She was fortunate enough to travel the world, from the Olympics in Russia to her last trip through Germany on a Martin Luther excursion where she discovered her love for a BMW! One of her favorite adventures was hiking a piece of the Appalachian Trail with her nieces and sisters. She always looked forward to her annual visit from her brother Wayne and sister-in-law Liz. She cherished the fact that her nephew Matt never missed a Master Choir concert.Elsa will be remembered for being a great sister and aunt, having a superior wit and sense of humor, and her compassion for all those who surrounded her.Elsa was preceded in death by both parents; her partner Barb Norstrom, brothers Charles (Mary), Wayne (Liz), and Lynn (Linda); niece Becky and nephew Noel.Elsa is survived by brothers John (Bev) of Adele, Iowa, and Brian (Diana) of West Plains, Missouri, and sisters Karen of Algona, Iowa, and Linda (Griff) of Northwood, Iowa. She is also survived by her family of many nieces, nephews, and cousins as well as extended family members.Friends Donna Spinelli, Fran Helmuth, and Jim Stockdale cherished her friendship and ensured her peaceful passage by being with her in her final moments. Her ashes will be interred in the woods of the home of her niece Michelle and Rich Pitrolo in the North Georgia mountains where she found peace, enjoyed the flowers and relished the view. There will be a celebration of her life at Sion Lutheran Church, Lake Mills, Iowa at the next annual family reunion.Arrangements have been entrusted to Roberts Funeral Homes West Chapel, 6241 SW SR-200, Ocala, Florida 34476 (352) 854-2266.

Elsa Groe

February 19, 1942 - July 6, 2021