Bernice I. Groth, age 79, of Newell, Iowa passed away on Tuesday, June 20, 2006, at the Loring Hospital in Sac City, Iowa.

Funeral services for Bernice will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, June 23rd, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Newell with Rev. Greg Baskerville officiating. Burial will be at the Newell Cemetery under the direction of the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m., Thursday, June 22nd, at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Newell.

Bernice Irene Johnson was born October 2, 1926, the daughter of John William and Maude (Tweddale) Johnson, at her parent’s home in Pocahontas County, Iowa. She attended Fonda Community School and graduated from high school in 1943.

On February 16, 1944, she was united in marriage to Edward K. Groth. She assisted her husband in farming and later in the insurance business.

Bernice was baptized, confirmed, and was a lifetime member of the Fonda Presbyterian Church. She was a choir member, taught Sunday School, was a youth advisor, served as several officers in P.W. and was an Elder.

Survivors include her husband, Ed; son, Dennis and Elaine Groth, Newell, Iowa; daughter, Joanne and Dennis Christian, Carroll, Iowa; grandchildren, Gary and Wendy Groth, Fonda, Iowa; Drs. Douglas and Eva Groth, Carthage, Illinois; Dr. Nicolle and Eric Rubendall, Naperville, Illinois; Mandy Redig and special friend Trevor Shannon, Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota; and Jill and Curtis Cunningham, Runnells, Iowa; and great grandchildren, Michael Groth, Trevor Groth, Trystin Cunningham, Morgan Groth, and Taryn Groth.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Eula Boettcher; and sons, Gaylen and James.

Her joy was her friends, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and their activities, as well as music, handwork, and her home.