ASHTON — Carol Marie Groft, 70, of Ashton, passed away Sunday, March 4, 2018, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.  
Her funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 9, at Northwestern United Methodist Church in Mellette. Burial will follow at a later date in the Ashton Cemetery. Visitation with family present, will be Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield followed by a prayer service and time for remembering at 7 p.m.
Carol Marie Opitz was born November 22, 1947, in Britton to Luvern and Julia (Freeman) Opitz.  She graduated from Britton High School.  
She was united in marriage Jim Groft December 26, 1970. She started out working for Gambles in Redfield before getting a job at First National Bank in 1974. For the next 31 years she worked at the bank until retiring in 2005. She bowled for many years and enjoyed watching NBA basketball especially the LA Lakers and Golden State Warriors. Her most cherished activity was her grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Jim; son, James (Nora) Groft of Ashton; four grandchildren; and sisters, Sandy (Alan) Grupe of Britton, Diane (Dennis) Stephens of Redfield, Lucie (David) Battey of Alexandria, Minn., Lavone (Scott) Nelson of Le Mars, Iowa, and Penny (Don) Gronke of Fargo, N.D.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and granddaughter, Bailey.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home.
Visit www.hykefuneralhome.com