Margaret Anna Groman Elsass, 83, died at 2:27 p.m. Nov. 18, 2011, at her residence.

She was born April 12, 1928, in Tiffin to Oliver J. and Esther M. Gromann Groman, who preceded her in death. On June 29, 1965, she married Walter Samuel Elsass, who died Sept. 16, 1974.

Mrs. Elsass was a 1946 graduate of Bluffton High School. After high school, she attended The Ohio State University and graduated from Bluffton College in 1954. She taught kindergarten in the Wapakoneta, Lima and Bluffton school systems before her marriage. She was the first kindergarten teacher for the Bluffton school system.

She was an organist for Bluffton United Church of Christ. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Lima, and was the pianist in the Sunday school children's department for many years. She was a former member of the church's bell choir.

Survivors include a daughter, Starla Dawn (Thomas M.) Huffer, of Lima; a stepdaughter, Shirley (Martin) Koch, of Lima; a grandson, Alex J. Huffer, of Lima; a granddaughter, Marsha K. Huffer, of Lima; two stepgrandchildren, Carl Koch and Freda Koch, both of Lima; a brother, Morris J. (Carol) Groman, of Bluffton; a sister-in-law, Janet Groman, of Lima; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a stepgrandson, Bruce Koch; a brother, Allen O. Groman; a sister-in-law, Jean Groman; and the grandmother who raised her, Anna E. Gromann.

A funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Chiles-Laman Funeral and Cremation Services-Shawnee Chapel. Pastor Kent Wilson will officiate. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Bluffton.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, 1300 Edgewood Drive, Lima.

Condolences may be expressed at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.