Margaret Grohall
Margaret A. Burke Messier Grohall, 101, of La Crosse, WI, formerly of Waukon, died Friday, March 24, 2017 at Hillview Health Care Center in La Crosse, WI. Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, March 28 at St. Mary - Hanover Catholic Church, rural Waukon, with the Rev. Mark Osterhaus as the celebrant. Burial followed in St. Mary - Hanover Catholic Cemetery, rural Waukon.
Margaret was born September 10, 1915 on the Burke family farm in Dorchester to Irish parents, Michael and Ella Byrnes Burke. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary-Hanover Catholic Church, rural Waukon. Marge grew up in a family of ten children.
Margaret was united in marriage with Phillip Messier in 1944 in Milwaukee, WI. He died in 1957.
In 1967, Margaret was united in marriage with Henry Grohall; together they enjoyed travels to many countries. He died in 1980. Their door was always open, especially to Milwaukee Braves fans.
Her parents would insist that the children become educated. Marge had several aunts in religious orders. She lived with and worked for the nuns of the Presentation Order while attending Waukon - St. Patrick Catholic High School for two years. She graduated from Marion High School/Mason City in 1932. She returned to Waukon, earning a teaching certificate at the Waukon Junior College. Marge taught kindergarten in Humboldt and moved to Milwaukee, WI to seek better employment. She attended night school and worked in clerical at Allis Chalmers and retired from the Boston Department Stores in Milwaukee. In 1985, she returned to the area to be closer to her relatives. Marge remained very close to all of her siblings and was loved and admired by 50 nieces and nephews, mostly in the Waukon area.
Margaret is survived by one sister-in-law, Evelyn (John) Burke of Waukon; 41 nieces and nephews; and by Henry’s family, Sister Marie Grohall, S.C.S.J.A, Edward (Ernie) Grohall of Milwaukee, WI, Anita (Denis) Grohall of Florida, and five grandchildren.
Margaret was preceded in death by six sisters, Mary (John) McCormick, Sister Mary Jude, RSM, Rita (Leo) Liddiard, Catherine (Earl) Griffin, Gertrude (Hank) Schulte and Monica (Ray) Sweeney; three brothers, James (Rita) Burke, Mike (Hazel) Burke and John Burke; and Henry’s son, Denis Grohall.
Our loving aunt had a deep devotion to the Blessed Mary and was active in her church. She was a member of Mary Mother of the Church in La Crosse, WI. She enjoyed early morning coffees with friends in La Crosse and loved to drive to Waukon for family time. She also enjoyed shopping, public radio and national baseball games.
Thornburg - Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Lansing assisted the family with arrangements.
