Eagle Grove/Marshalltown – Sarah Laurene (Ellefson) Groth was born on November 8, 1988, the daughter of James and Brenda (Fisher) Ellefson, in Marshalltown, Iowa. She attended Marshalltown Schools graduating in 2007. Sarah received her BA Degree from Wartburg College in 2011 and then obtained two Master’s Degrees – in education, curriculum and counseling.
On October 8, 2011, Sarah was united in marriage with Jacob Groth on the campus of Wartburg College in Waverly. The couple then lived in Webster City for two years before moving to Eagle Grove, while Sarah taught in the Eagle Grove Community Schools for twelve years.
Sarah was an avid runner, she ran in 7 marathons (often stating 10 K’s were just too short!) and her favorite running partner was her beloved dog, Mia. She loved gardening, flowers, concerts and time spent with her children and family. Sarah also enjoyed wrestling tournaments and fishing with Jacob.
Sarah passed away on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the age of 36 years. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Ted and Becky Ellefson and Dick and Flo Fisher; Jacob’s grandparents, Lowell and Sherrill Roseland and Larry and Hatti Groth and beloved dog, Mia.
Survivors include her husband, Jacob Groth; son, Gavin Groth; daughter, Elsie Groth; parents, Jim and Brenda Ellefson of Marshalltown; sister, Rachel Wagner (Andrew) of Eagle Grove; in-laws, Stan and Leslie Groth of Marshalltown; sister-in-law, Haley Upah (Sam) of Gilman; three nephews, Archie and Wyatt Wagner and Bennett Upah; two nieces, Evelyn and Ava Upah and her dog, Lucy and cat, Miley.
Memorial services were held on Saturday, May 24, 2025, 11 a.m. at Samuel Lutheran Church in Eagle Grove with a visitation on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Foust Funeral Home. www.foustfh.com
Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.
