September 1928 ~ November 2018
John Groll, of Turlock, passed away on November 3, 2018. He was 90 years old. John was born in Dickinson, North Dakota to Anton and Genevieve Groll.
As a boy he attended Saint Joseph’s Catholic School. He learned how to ice skate on the frozen ponds in North Dakota, and was a graceful ice skater as an adult.
John joined the Marines with his cousin Tony and was stationed in Miramar, San Diego. He returned to North Dakota to attend Dickinson University and received a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Social Science, Physical Education and a minor in Mathematics.
John met the love of his life, Corrine Purdy in North Dakota, married in 1953 and they relocated to California in 1957. He first taught at Riverbank School then eventually at Turlock High School until he retired.
He was a beloved algebra, calculus, geometry teacher and coach to many students in Turlock and taught for over 30 years.
John is preceded in death by his wife Corrine and brothers Theodore and Peter. He is survived by his children Antoinette (Bill) Steitz of Newman, Gregory (Lorie) Groll of Turlock, Gary Groll of Turlock and John (Nancy) Groll of Turlock; seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Memorial contributions can be made in John’s memory to Alzheimer’s Association.
A private family graveside service will be held.
Please share your memories at www.AllenMortuary.com.
Condolences(15)-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Previous Ernest Sadawe Garcia, Jr.
Next Carol Ann Rearick
- What to do first?
- Pricing
- Preplanning
- Online Arrangement Forms
Michael Wetzlich says
December 19, 2018 at 5:37 pmAlthough I never had Mr. Groll as my teacher in high School, I would often see him on campus. He always had a smile and was quick to greet students by name. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. He will be missed.
Adrienne (Sleeper) Crusick says
November 26, 2018 at 10:48 pmI rememember Mr. Groll..he was a very nice and patient teacher who also coached tennis at the high school. Thoughts and prayers go out to the Groll family. My mother had alzheimers”it is so sad and hard on families.
Tom Watling Jr. says
November 17, 2018 at 3:03 pmThe patience and good humor of Mr. John Groll are the main reasons why I managed to survive high school Algebra, and I’m sure, like my friend Rock, I was admonished for some sort of disruptive behavior, but it was Mr. Groll who I’ll always remember as a mentor and a friend. As the son of two lifelong educators I can sincerely appreciate the effort and genuine concern John had for all his students, he truly was the sort of teacher you would want for your own children. Please accept my heartfelt condolences, Tom Watling, Jr.
Carlos Hernandez says
November 15, 2018 at 8:13 pmMr.(John)Groll, as I referred to him, how’s it going? Gary and I just started to hang out when I first met Mr. Groll, 48 years ago. He and the Mrs. always made me feel welcome to their home! I will miss him, the greeting and his smile. Viva Con Dios
MARK DE LA MOTTE says
November 15, 2018 at 5:26 amLaura and I were fortunate enough to be colleagues of John at Turlock HS. He was a most supportive friend to us both as young teachers who made us feel welcome and valued. We especially enjoyed his wit and positive daily attitude.
Mark & Laura de la Motte says
November 15, 2018 at 5:23 amLaura and I were fortunate enough to be colleagues of John at Turlock HS. He was a most supportive friend to us both as young teachers who made us feel welcome and valued. We especially enjoyed his wit and positive daily attitude.
Rockford Libby says
November 12, 2018 at 5:23 pmMr. (John) Groll was in my opinion the ultimate educator. At then Walter Brown School in the mid-fifties he had occasion to discipline me for an incident involving spitting water on another student in retaliation for the same offense. He chose to make this an opportunity to educate rather than simply punish. I was directed to write 100 times, “I shall refrain from expectorating water upon my fellow students.” Both this lesson and my appreciation for the man have remained with me for over 60 years now.
John was my neighbor for his last eight years on Edward Drive and I enjoyed our visits as I walked my dog by his house or when he drove through the alley and stopped to visit me working in my garden. He did not recall the above incident and I have to assume that is because he had so many similar truly educational interactions with his many students. I will miss him.
Rock Libby
Gary Black says
November 11, 2018 at 8:28 pmI worked many years with John at Turlock High School. It was a pleasure to see how he loved his work and the students who were lucky enough to have him as a teacher. John was quite an athlete in his own right. He taught me the fine points of racquetball, a sport I never came close to mastering to his level. I was honored to call John a colleague, but mostly, I was honored to call him a friend.
Timothy G. Avila says
November 9, 2018 at 5:59 amAt one point in the John Groll family, they lived around the corner from us. Even though I never had math with Mr. Groll, he always knew my first name. I remember when they moved to Edwards Street, I saw on the wall a picture of Mr. Groll in Native full dress leather with headdress, and Greg told me that is his Bachelor’s from North Dakota. I was so impressed by that, I never forgot it. I remember seeing him, Coach George Dudley, Mr. Davenport (I can’t remember the fourth player), playing tennis in Crane Park, all in their whites, tennis shoes too. As an adult I would see Mr. Groll at Brenda Athletics Club in the Men’s locker room, we would chat, and he could not get the idea of me doing step aerobics upstairs. At this time he was playing racketball and was an excellent player too. To Mrs. Groll (in Heaven), Toni, Greg, (Lori), and Gary John, (Nancy), you are always in my heart, God bless you all and may Mr. Groll forever live in peace.
Brenda (Couchman) Fox says
November 9, 2018 at 1:24 amMr. Groll was hands-down my favorite Math teacher. He was patient, encouraging and caring. He wanted me to succeed. We were all lucky to have him.
Lee Marchant says
November 8, 2018 at 7:25 pmI was one of the lucky students to of had Mr. Groll as a math teacher at Turlock High School during the late 70’s. He was a great person and teacher who was respected by his students and colleagues. He was always there for his students whether you needed help with a math problem or just needed someone to talk to. He was a person who always had a smile on his face and had nothing but kind words for everyone.
Marlys Sydor (Wehrung) says
November 8, 2018 at 3:42 pmWas very sad to hear of Uncle John’s passing, but then I remembered how lost he was when Aunt Corrine died. Now they are together again with no pain-ravaged bodies or minds that don’t recognize or function properly. I know it’s hard to lose those we love so dearly, even though we know they are in a much better place. My heart goes out to you all.
I’ll always remember the time I got to stay with John and Corrine for a week when they were living in their apartment in Dickinson shortly after they were married – I was about 7 years old then. John mentioned it in a letter he wrote me when Hank died in 2011, so I know it was a memorable time for them too. That’s what we do now – cherish the memories! Uncle John loved his family so much and he was such a kind, gentle and caring man – I’m sure you all have many wonderful memories to hold on to.
Sending love, hugs, prayers, sympathy and many blessings.
Sonja and Jim Groll says
November 8, 2018 at 2:50 amSending our thoughts and prayers. We loved our many visits with uncle John.
Bob Stammerjohan says
November 7, 2018 at 4:53 pmI worked with John for many years when he was a math teacher at Turlock High School. He was a truly kind & wonderful person who always had a smile and kind word for everyone. He was also an excellent teacher who was well liked and respected by his students and colleagues. It was an honor and a pleasure to have known and worked with him.
Roger and Linda Chale (Wehrung) says
November 7, 2018 at 12:20 amDeepest sympathy to you in the passing of your father, grandfather, and great grandfather. I have fond memories of Uncle John when he and Aunt Corrine would bring you four kids and come to visit in Watford City, ND. Our family also visited your family in Turlock when I was a child. Uncle John took us to San Francisco to see the Golden Gate Bridge and China town. The last time I saw Uncle John was in May of 2013 when my husband, Roger, and I stopped to visit him in Turlock while we were traveling through CA. He took us out to eat at Wendy’s and we had a nice visit. Uncle John was a family oriented man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
We are privileged to be
the only family-owned
funeral home in the Turlock area.
Quick Links
Our Contacts
Send Us a Message
(209) 634-5829
247 North Broadway
Turlock, California 95380
Allen Mortuary © 2022. All rights reserved.
View Privacy Policy. Supported by SiteJockey.