Ila Clarine Bergo Grothe

Ila C. Grothe, 79, Lake Mills, passed away peacefully surrounded by family Friday, Jan. 21, 2022 at her home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 31, at Salem Lutheran Church, with Pastor Joel Guttormson officiating. Inurnment will follow the service at Salem Memorial Cemetery.Visitation will be held from 1-4 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 30, at Schott Funeral Homes–Mittelstadt Chapel, Lake Mills. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to MercyOne North Iowa Hospice, Salem Lutheran Church, or the donor’s choice.
Ila Clarine (Bergo) Grothe was born June 8, 1942 to parents Rudolph and Jeneva Bergo. She was baptized at Sion Lutheran Church, rural Lake Mills, and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church in 1957. Ila graduated from Lake Mills High School with the class of 1960.
On May 13, 1961, Ila was married to Donald L. Grothe, and together they had five children: Tammy, Rhonda, Randy, Dawn, and Kevin. Together, Ila and Don worked side by side incorporating Don’s Motor Mart. Ila loved every minute owning the gas station, because she got to see so many friends walk through the door each day.
When Ila wasn’t on the move—like going to grandchildren’s games, concerts, family get-togethers, or trying to track down Don, Ila could be found having a cup of coffee with close friends and family. It wouldn’t take too long before Ila would find a deck of cards, and a short visit would turn into an all-day affair.
Anyone who knows Ila, knows that the most important thing in her life was family—especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. But to Ila, “family” wasn’t defined by blood, marriage, or last name. Ila’s family tree had many branches. To Ila, family included: her coffee and card group, her children’s friends, her grandchildren’s friends, and the loyal customers and co-workers at Don’s Motor Mart. What a blessing it is to have that type of “family.”
Even on the hard days, being in the presence of “family” always cheered Ila up. The bedtime hugs, nightly devotions, and prayers, shared between family and friends these last couple weeks will forever be cherished.
Ila’s legacy continues with her family: daughter, Tammy Hamilton and her children, Mike (Dawn) Hamilton and their children, Cameron, Emma, and Bella; Ashley (Mason) Schares and their child, Killian; daughter, Rhonda (Doug) Harmon and their children, Chalsea (Drew) Roder and their kids, Gracie, Jeneva, and Peyton; Derek (Jesus Gonzales) Harmon, and Jerod (Samantha) Harmon; son, Randy (Christi) Grothe and their children, Sam and Katie; daughter, Dawn (Lindsey) Butterfield and their children, Joshua Grothe and his son, Andrew, and Andrew’s mother, Lauren Moniot; Amber (Mike) Benusa and their daughter, Charlee and son, Rollie; and Brianna Butterfield; son, Kevin (Jolene Carter) Grothe and his children, Kray and Claire Grothe and their mother, Chrissy Grothe; sister, Rita Anderson; sisters in-law, Theresa Zila, Sandy Grothe, and Carolyn Grtothe; as well as many loving relatives and friends.
Ila is preceded in death by her husband, Don Grothe; both parents, Rudolph and Jeneva Bergo; father and mother in-law, Joe and Rose Grothe; a brother, Jerry (Janet) Bergo; as well as a grandson, Jacob Grothe.