Barbara Jean Groth

Barbara Jean (Novak) Groth, age 87, of St. Ansgar, Iowa, passed away on Monday, July 27, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Home in St. Ansgar. Barbara was born on February 12, 1939, to Louis and Myrtle Novak. She was the oldest of four daughters and was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Osage. She grew up in Mitchell, Iowa, and graduated in 1955. She was one of seven graduates in her class. While growing up in Mitchell, Barbara spent a lot of time with her grandparents, Tom and Ina Thompson. They lived on the Cedar River so she spent a lot of her time swimming and fishing.

Her parents were vegetable farmers near Grafton, Iowa, raising cabbage and squash. She spent her summers helping her parents in the fields. She learned to drive a ’39 John Deere tractor and because of this she was able to drive for the cabbage cutters. The Groth family still owns that tractor. Barbara did various other jobs in the fields as was needed.

Barbara met Paul Groth and they were married on June 1, 1958, at the Lutheran Church in Grafton, Iowa. Together they had three children, Carrie, Lori, and Steven. They raised their children on a farm northeast of St. Ansgar and then moved to St. Ansgar in 1999.

Barbara attended Luther College for two years and earned a degree in elementary education. She then began her career teaching first grade at St. Ansgar Schools in 1958. Later she earned a 4 year degree from Upper Iowa University at Fayette. She accomplished this by attending summer and night classes. For 38 years she taught at the St. Ansgar schools, mostly third grade. After retiring, she was a guest teacher for several more years.

Barbara and Paul were members of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar where she was a member of the Naomi Circle. She was also a member of the Stitch and Chat Club for many years. Her hobbies consisted of gardening, walking, and mowing the lawn. She thoroughly enjoyed being outside.

Barbara is survived by her children Carrie (Roger) Mayer, daughters Kelly (Dallas) Kuper, Angela (Andrew) Chisholm, and Jessica (Jared) Koebrick; Lori (Kevin) Hackenmiller, daughters Kaitlin (Andrew) Buker, and Ellie (Ryan) Henderscheid; and Steven (Connie) Groth, daughters Lauren (Gary) Mitchell, Claire, and Hannah and 11 great grandchildren along with nieces and nephews.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Groth; parents, Louis and Myrtle Novak; and her sisters, Judy Champion and Cynthia Novak who was killed in a tragic car accident at the age of 18.

Barbara’s funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar with Pastor Mark Squire officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery. Lunch will be provided after the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the Immanuel Lutheran Church or St. Croix Hospice in memory of Barbara.

The family would like to thank the Good Samaritan Home and St. Croix Hospice staff for the wonderful care that was given to Barbara while she was a resident at the home.

Hoff Celebrations-Schroeder Chapel of St. Ansgar is assisting the family with arrangements.