Gerlinde Groff, 85, Gardner, Kansas passed away Thursday, October 13,  2022 at her home surrounded by loved ones. A graveside service will be held in her honor at 2:00 p.m. October 22, 2022 at Gardner Cemetery. A celebration of life will be at 10:30 a.m. October 23, 2022 at Warren Place in Gardner, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org/donatetoday 

Gerlinde was born on April 21, 1937 in Schabolat, Romania to Edmund and Amalie (Pfau) Hoffmann. She was raised in Germany and graduated from her school there. Gerlinde married Thomas Joe Groff in Giessen, Germany on February 15, 1955.  She was a homemaker and the matriarch to a large, loving family. Raising her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and building a strong family. Gerlinde lived in Colorado before moving to Kansas in 1994. She was an artist who enjoyed painting beautiful pictures and sketching. Gerlinde also loved to dance, grow flowers and tend her garden.  

Gerlinde was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Kuno Hoffmann and Edmund Hoffmann. She is survived by her husband Thomas Joe Groff and her 5 children; Ralph (Roxann) Groff, Stockton, Missouri, Jimmy (Reva) Groff, Clarksville, Arkansas, Linda Lou Groff (Ron Svoboda), Clarksville, Arkansas, Thomas Joe Groff JR (Elizabeth), Linwood, Kansas and Johnny Jack Groff (Michele), Paola, Kansas.  Gerlinde’s siblings Werner Hoffmann, Inge Haack and Gisela Blaschka all of Germany. 18 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren. 

Arangements:  Bruce Funeral Home, 106 S. Center, Gardner, Kansas (913) 856-7111.