M. Malinda Gropp, 98, of Marshfield died peacefully on Thursday, September 18, 2014 at the House of Dove. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, September 23 at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church with the Rev. Eric Berns officiating. Her grandchildren will serve as pallbearers, and burial will be at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 8:00 PM on Monday, September 22 at Rembs Funeral Home with a combined rosary service at 6:30 PM by the Parish and Knights of Columbus. There will also be a visitation at the church on Tuesday from 9:30 until the time of the service. On August 20, 1916, Malinda was born to Anton and Margaret Sternweis in the Town of Lincoln. She attended Sacred Heart Elementary, Purdy High School, and was part of the first graduating class from Wood County Normal School in 1936. She taught at the one-room schoolhouses of Shady Lane and Lone Elm and was very proud of her starting salary of $65 a month. She was united in marriage to Roy Gropp on October 9, 1943 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Marshfield. Together, they purchased the family farm in 1944 where they spent their lifetime farming and raising six children. Her hobbies included gardening, sewing, bowling, Homemakers' Club, and playing cards (Sheepshead, Smear, Cribbage, and Solitaire). In her younger years, she and Roy enjoyed square dancing. Mom was very proud of being able to live at home by herself until her death and was thankful for her children and grandchildren who visited often. Malinda is survived by her four daughters and one son: Orla (Keith) Otzen of Golden Valley, MN, Shirley (Terry) Haack of Appleton, Kathryn (Thomas) Skalitzky of Golden Valley, MN, Susan (James) Ellis of Maple Grove, MN, and Jake (Lori) Gropp of Marshfield. She is further survived by fourteen grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and one brother, Jim (Jenny) Sternweis of Marshfield. She was preceded in death by her parents, beloved husband Roy in 2007 and son David in 1999, three brothers (Leo, John, and Tom Sternweis), and one sister (Cecelia Brandl). The family would like to thank Marion Nelson for the care and companionship she had with Mom, the staff at Companion Day Services, and the caring, dedicated staff who helped care for her during the last two weeks at St. Joseph's Hospital, Three Oaks, and House of Dove. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to House of Dove or your preferred charity in her name. Rembs Funeral Home is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com. "Love leaves behind more than death can take away."