Thelma Grothaus

Thelma Theresa Grothaus, 82, Lake Waukomis, MO, passed away November 7, 2011 at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Funeral Mass will be 3:00 PM Friday, November 11th at Holy Family Catholic Church, 919 NE 96th St, Kansas City, MO, where a rosary will be prayed at 2:00 PM. Following Mass there will be a reception immediately following in the parish hall. Graveside services will be 10:00 AM Saturday, November 12th at Resurrection Cemetery, Kansas City, MO. Contributions are suggested to Holy Family Catholic Church Memorial Fund.

Thelma was born June 16, 1929 in St. Louis, MO where she resided until 1962. She was a 1947 graduate of St. Anthony High School, St. Louis. Thelma moved from St. Louis to Jefferson City, MO in 1962 where she resided until moving to Kansas City in 1987. She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and their St. Joseph Women’s Group, and was a volunteer at St. Luke’s Northland Hospital. Thelma was an avid gardener, scrapbooker and reader. She loved her morning coffee, crossword puzzles and swimming in the lake. But most of all she loved her kids and grandkids; they enjoyed her limericks and riddles. And everyone enjoyed her smile and wit.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, William and Elizabeth Rickert; siblings Eleanor and Norbert Rickert, Tom Rickert, Albert Rickert, William Rickert and Frank Rickert. She was also preceded in death by 2 granddaughters, Claire and Sophie Edwards; and the father of her children and husband of 36 years, Leo H. Grothaus. Survivors include her children, Leo H. Grothaus, Jr and wife, Sherri, Paul G. Grothaus and wife, Ann Cui, David M. Grothaus and wife, Pamela, Amy Grothaus Green and husband, Glenn (Paige), Theresa Kay Edwards and husband, Jim, and Mark A. Grothaus and wife, Marjorie; brother, Joseph Rickert; sisters, Elsie Calabrese and Rosemary Peters; 12 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.