Henry "Gene" Groth

Henry E. “Gene” Groth, 85 of Sioux City passed away on Friday, January 08, 2016 in Sergeant Bluff, IA following an extended illness. A celebration of life ceremony will be held at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Rev. Scott Squires will officiate. Visitation with the family present will be from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home. Gene was born September 22, 1930 in Cushing, IA; he was the son of Lee Roy “C.J.” and Aurelia (Dandurand) Groth. Gene grew up in Cushing and Correctionville and graduated from East High School. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Gene married Carmen Vogelzang December 6, 1951 and to this union a daughter, Sherry was born. He  married  Jenny Kelso July 20, 1985. Gene married Jean Thoma Sept. 22, 1998 in Sioux City. Gene was a meat cutter and worked with his brother Virgil in a grocery store in Grinnell, IA. He also worked for Council Oaks Food Stores and then retired from the Economy Market. He enjoyed playing cribbage and going with his buddies to morning coffee at McDonalds. He was a Kansas City Chiefs and NASCAR fan. Survivors include his wife: Jean Thoma of Sioux City; a daughter: Sherry Reckas (Manny) of Zionsville, IN; step children: Joe Thoma (Joyce) of Manson, IA, Doug Thoma (Patty) of Newton, IA, Debbie Kent (Rick) of Spirit Lake, IA; Joni Schipper (Mark) of Moville, Jackie Sutter (Patrick) of Phoenix, AZ, Brenda Thoma-Hay (Darrin) of Jefferson, SD; a sister: Pauline Bonderson of LeMars, IA; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, wife Jenny, step son: Scott, brother Virgil and a sister Jerry. We would like to give a special thank you to the family at the Floyd House for the care they gave to Gene.