Ivan Groth passed peacefully from this life February 6th after complications following a stroke. Ivan was born October 23rd, 1925 to Harry and Ella "Annie" Groth on the family hill farm in Sumpter.

In May 1943 Ivan joined the Army and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. Upon completion of paratrooper training his company shipped out to France landing at Normandy with orders to move toward the Rhine River in Germany. Ivan was awarded a battle star for his involvement in this campaign. Upon discharge from the Army, Ivan returned to the family farm temporarily before becoming a milk hauler for the Wisconsin Creamery Co-op in Sauk City.

On October 12, 1948 he married Geraldine Baier at St. John's Lutheran Church in Prairie du Sac. During their married years Ivan farmed in Sauk County, worked as a carpenter at the Badger Ordnance Works and in 1957 started driving for Gross Trucking. He continued driving for Gross after moving to Milwaukee where their daughter Brenda was born. They divorced in 1981 and Ivan returned to the Merrimac farm.

Ivan married Liz Schleicher September 3rd, 1983 and continued farming and driving for Gross. In 1987 he retired after receiving numerous safe driving awards during his career.

Ivan was a great host with a generous heart and did many things in a big way. His home was always open to everyone and family reunions were often held there. He shared the fruits of his garden with friends and neighbors, cooking ears of corn by the gross for freezing, scalding tomatoes by the bushel for canning--and, he was known for stuffing baloney rings by the yard and frying up pounds of walleye for his guests. His hospitality extended beyond family, especially to those who loved country music and cards. Ivan was an ardent euchre player and well-known at the local tournaments.

Ivan was a member of theTeamster's Union, St. John's Lutheran Church, American Legion Post 172, North Freedom and the Lachmund-Cramer VFW Post 7694, Prairie du Sac.

Ivan is survived by his wife Liz, daughter Brenda Gray, grandsons Michael (Audrey) and David Gray, great grand-daughter Penny, sister Audrey (Bob) Parkinson, ex-son-in-law Jim Gray, a nephew and many nieces and nephews.

Ivan was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Roland, Walter and Arlene Griep, nephews Harry Groth, James Groth, David Griep and Joel Parkinson.

Memorials can be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, Prairie du Sac, WI.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, February 11, 2016 at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Prairie du Sac, WI with Pastor Sally Williams officiating. Burial will be in the Prairie du Sac Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 at Hooverson Funeral Home, Sauk City, WI