Elmo J. Groll

Elmo Groll passed peacefully after an extended illness on the morning of October 17th, 2013. Elmo Groll was born December 26, 1921, in Victoria County to the late John K. Groll and “Lena” Windberg Groll. At age 16 he moved to Victoria on his own to graduate from Patti Welder High School in 1940. He continued on to Victoria College until he was called to serve in the U. S. Army achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant during World War II. When he returned home from England he entered Southwest Texas Teacher College under the GI Bill, and married Levada Heller of Schroeder, Tx in 1946. He received a teaching degree in mathematics in 1951.

Elmo began his 32 year teaching career in Placedo and Austwell-Tivoli, and was a math and history teacher, principal and coach there for 4 years. He started his career in Victoria with the opening of Crain Junior High School, and taught math on that campus for 18 years. When Howell Jr. High opened, he taught 7th grade mathematics there for 10 more years before retiring in 1983. He continued to work for the VISD as a substitute teacher for another 19 years.

During their retirement years he and Levada became members of two Victoria dance clubs and the P.O.L.K. of A. organization. During those years they traveled the U.S. and Europe, and danced across the state of Texas. Elmo was an avid vegetable gardener and enjoyed putting food on his table.

Elmo was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Victoria where he taught Sunday School for 23 years, and participated in many other aspects of the life of the church. He was strong in his faith and enjoyed being with friends and family. He was known for the countless stories he told to students and friends: stories of family, of war, of trying times and the many changes that had transpired in the world he grew up in compared to today.

Elmo is survived by three children: Steven Groll and his wife, Joan, Carol Saenz and her husband, Mario, all of Victoria, and Janette Groll of Levelland, two grandsons, three granddaughters, three step-grandchildren and one brother William “Bill” Groll. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Levada, one brother, Charles Groll and one sister, Barbara Smith of Corpus Christi.

The family will receive friends at Rosewood Funeral Chapels on Sunday October 20th from 6pm – 8pm. Elmo’s funeral service will be at Trinity Lutheran Church on Monday October 21st at 10:00 am with Rev.Barney Matocha and Pastor Don Angerstein officiating. Burial with flag folding and presentation under the auspices of the Victoria Veterans Council will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Pallbearers will include Colin Holt, Justin Groll, Morgan Ruschhaupt, Bubba King, Bill Atzenhoffer and Godfried Berger.

Honorary Pallbearers are Farrell Heller, William “Bill” Groll, Dalhart Windberg, Howard Yeary, Lawrence Stange, and Leonard Svrcek.

Memorials in his name may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 106 N. DeLeon at Forrest, Victoria, Texas, 77901.

Words of comfort may be shared at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.