Margaret Ann "Peggy" Payne-Groves

Larchwood, IA

   Margaret Ann “Peggy” Payne-Groves, age 68, of Larchwood, Iowa died Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at Ava’s Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

     A private family burial will be Friday, June 5th at Holy Name Catholic Cemetery in Rock Rapids, IA, with Father Francis Makwinja as Celebrant.

     Public visitation will be Thursday, June 4th from 4:00 to 8:00PM, at Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. We will be following the 10-person limit for guests in the funeral home during visitation.

Peggy's Tribute Video

     In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to the Senora Payne-Groves Scholarship (Lions Pride Scholarship) Central Lyon School, 1010 S. Greene Street, Rock Rapids, IA 51246, Attn: Jessica Harman.

     Margaret Ann Munns was born May 24, 1952, in Rock Rapids, IA, the daughter of Gerald and Isabelle (Kellihan) Munns. Her mother immediately nicknamed her Peggy, and that’s what you called her. Peggy was raised on the family farm, attending country school through 2nd grade. She then attended Central Lyon in Rock Rapids, where she graduated in 1970. Peggy was an active cheerleader, 4-H member and salutatorian of her class. She attended Clarke College in Dubuque, IA, and studied abroad in Madrid, Spain. Peggy graduated in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree with the goal of teaching foreign language. 

     In 1976, she married Mark Edward Payne in Ellston, IA. They moved frequently for Mark’s work and eventually settled near Rock Rapids, where they raised four children. Peggy was primarily a stay-at-home mom until fall 1988 when she began teaching high school Spanish and French at Central Lyon. At CLHS, she made an amazing mark on thousands of students who knew her as Señora. She encouraged and challenged students to do their best, to learn and grow, and to laugh and enjoy life. More importantly, she wanted students to experience other cultures in the classroom and real life. In the early 1990s, she took the first of many groups of students abroad to practice Spanish beyond “¿Puedo ir al baño?” She took students to Mexico, Costa Rica, Spain, France, the UK and Italy. She held memorable International Club Christmas parties complete with a piñata and mock sangria. Peggy was a cheerleading and cheer competition coach, National Honor Society advisor and CL Education Association President. In May 2019, Señora retired after 30 years at CLHS. Peggy was also the third Munns generation to serve on the Lyon County Fair Board, where she organized the queen contest, figure 8 races and many other activities. 

     In 2001, Peggy married Steve Groves in Rock Rapids, IA, when she gained three stepchildren. She fiercely loved her family no matter what. She was a super grandma with superpowers including cuddles, tickles, hugs, cheers, movie dates, silly faces, bunny ears, tutoring and more. Two granddaughters proudly have Margaret and Ann as their middle names after her. 

     Peggy is survived by her husband of 19 years, Steve Groves of Larchwood, IA; four children, Erin (Monte) Johanning of Sioux Falls, SD, Mike (Beth) Payne of Inwood, IA, Tara (Phil) Mueller of Sioux Falls, and Caitlin Payne of Chicago, IL; three stepchildren, Jada Wright, Dallas (Steffy) Groves and Zach Groves of Sioux Falls; 10 grandchildren, Taylor (Jared) Heynen, Jayd, Kaydence & Sophia Payne of Inwood, Avery Groves of Sioux Falls, Aiden, Logan & Elena Johanning of Sioux Falls, Milo & Olive Mueller of Sioux Falls; and great-granddaughter Macy Heynen of Inwood; one brother, Mike Munns of Rock Rapids; one sister, Eileen (Tim) Peters of Madison, SD; brother-in-law Robert (Carol) Payne of Maryville, MO; sisters-in-law Mary Lahiff of Jacksonville, FL, Cora Barber of Scranton, IA, and Sandy Shanks of Gordon, NE; eight nieces and nephews; and a large extended family.

     Peggy was preceded in death by her first husband, Mark Payne; her parents, Gerald and Isabelle Munns; her brother Pat Munns, and sister-in-law Carolyn Hand.