Lilah F. (Groth) Temp

Lilah F. Temp, 93, of La Crosse, Wis., died Thursday, July 24, 2014, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center after a short battle with cancer.

She was born on February 3, 1921 to Herman & Julia (Johnson) Anderson in La Crosse, and graduated from Central High School in 1940.

On October 25, 1941, she married Elmer “Cappy” Groth. Together they raised two children. They became one of the first licensed foster homes in La Crosse, caring for young teenage girls. Lilah also worked as one of the first Adult school crossing guards in the City of La Crosse and was stationed at 14^th & South Avenue for fifteen years.

On October 2, 1976, she married Edward Temp. Together they continued to provide foster care for adults.

As a charter member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in La Crosse, she enjoyed church circle and made many lifelong friends. She was a phenomenal cook and loved to entertain anyone with a great meal or just a cup of coffee and some homemade baked goods. No one was better at rolling out homemade lefse. In her later years she always enjoyed her evening drives through Riverside Park with her sister-in-law, Lillian Tanke.

Lilah touched many lives with her quiet giving, compassion and love. She never uttered a negative word about anyone and modeled for all who knew her how a true Christian should live. She truly impacted many, many lives and will be sadly missed by all.

Lilah is survived by a son, Douglas (Theresa) Groth of La Crosse, a daughter, Susan (Raymond) Wegner of Bangor, two stepsons, Marvin (Joyce) Temp of Coon Valley and Gordon (Janet) Temp of Onalaska, stepdaughter, Judy Scott of Eau Claire, WI, grandchildren, Justin Groth of Stoddard, Abby (Reuben) Schmidt of St. Charles, MN, Stephanie Groth of La Crosse, James Hundt of La Crosse, Jennifer Hundt of La Crosse, Robert Wegner of Sparta, WI, step grandchildren, Michael (Danielle) Temp of Onalaska, Jeff (Dawn) Temp of Minneapolis, MN, David Temp of Onalaska, Paula (Don) Robertson of Savage, MN, Pamela (Jeff) Gilbertson of Eden Prairie, MN, Patti Molzahn of Eden Prairie, MN, Robert (Jacqueline) Scott of Catonsville, MD, Susan Scott of Holden, MA, 5 great- grandchildren and 11 step great- grandchildren. She is further survived by 5 nieces, a sister–in–law, Lillian Tanke and special friend Arlene Kelly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her two husbands, her sister, Esther Schroeder, her brother Herman “Ham” Anderson Jr., her traveling companion, niece Elizabeth Moffitt and step-daughter, Carol Molzahn.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM on Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 4141 Mormon Coulee Rd., La Crosse, WI. Family and friends may call from 10:00 AM until the time of services at Church. Burial will follow services at the Woodlawn Cemetery.

Memorials in her name may be directed to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or the Gundersen Health System Hospice Program.