Sylvia Matilda Lawrence Grooms, age 96, passed away at the Pineview Nursing Home in Valentine, Nebraska on December 20, 2018.

Sylvia was born August 10, 1922 to Joseph and Belinda 'Linnie' (Strawn) Lawrence. The seventh of nine children, she was raised by her homesteader parents in Keya Paha County, Nebraska. Like many children of her era she worked alongside her parents, and brothers and sisters to raise the crops and livestock.

Sylvia's father died suddenly when she was seven years old. The family's already tough way of life was made even more so. Complaints were few and with a strong sense of purpose and hard work everyone pulled their weight. Through the Depression and droughts they grew up fast because they knew no other way of living.

Sylvia attended the Shadley Creek School, Valentine High School and St. Mary's Girls Academy in O'Neill, Nebraska.

Sylvia met her future husband Martin 'George' Grooms at a barn dance. They were soon married on Feb 1, 1941 at Bassett, Nebraska. Born to this union were Georgia Ann, Edgar, Alfred, Melvin and David.

George and Sylvia started married life on the Becker-Grooms homestead living with George's parents and siblings. They would live most of their lives here northeast of Valentine, Nebraska and raise their family. Sylvia lived through a time of great change. Starting out in a house without electricity or indoor plumbing, farm and ranch work was demanding and never finished.

Sylvia was active in her community where she taught many young girls to sew as a leader of the Sparks Highwires.

George and Sylvia loved to travel. Jumping in with both feet, the Grooms', Lawrences and Eglehoffs took off for Alaska to celebrate the Bicentennial in a Winnebago RV covering over six thousand miles on their first adventure. Eventually George and Sylvia would crisscross the United States and visit all but two states catching up with relatives and making new friends along the way. When they could no longer drive an RV, they spent many winters in Arizona.

Sylvia had a lifelong interest in her pioneer family history and passed this onto her children and grandchildren. She was active with the Sparks Church and Cemetery, and Old Settlers for many years. She was proud to be honored as the oldest "Old Settler" in attendance for the past few years.

Sylvia is survived by her son Alfred, eight grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Georgia Ann, sons Edgar, Melvin and David, and her siblings: an infant boy, Alfred, Clarentine Turner, Lloyd, Maynard, Lillie Egelhoff, Stella Reagle and Erma Haas.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to The Friends of the Sparks Cemetery.

Sparks Cemetery Treasurer,

co Caroline Lawrence Graham,

PO Box 425, Rushville, Nebraska, 69360.

Funeral service for Sylvia Grooms age 96 of Valentine will be held on Friday, December 28 at 10:00 AM at the United Methodist Church in Valentine.  Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Valentine.  Visitation will be on Thursday at 2:00 PM at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines.