Sophia Grotta was born August 1, 1898, at Manchester, South Dakota, the daughter of Ole and Christine Grotta. 

She moved with her parents to Haakon County when she was ten years old.  They homesteaded there and she attended rural school and graduated from Pierre High School.  She attended Black Hills Normal Teachers College and taught rural school in Haakon County for 18 years.

Sophia married Mark Marrington on July 7, 1921, at Fort Pierre, South Dakota.  They built their ranch in Hudson Flat and lived there for many years.

Mr. Marrington died in 1965.  Sophia then continued living on the ranch for many years and later moved to Dell Rapids.  She was a member of the Deep Creek Lutheran Church, rural Midland, the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids, the Dell Rapids Lutheran Quilters, and Women of ELCA.

Survivors include two daughters: Mrs. Paul (Helen) Aspaas of Dell Rapids and Mrs. Gary (Joyce) Greenwalt of Belle Fourche; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two sisters: Mrs. Mabel Patton and Mrs. Olga Patton, both of Philip.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a daughter, Lucile, and a great-grandson.

First Funeral Services
Friday, August 13, 1993
10:00 a.m.
Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids
Dell Rapids, South Dakota

Officiating
Reverend David Lechelt

Music
Ken Mannes - Organist
Chris Aspaas - Soloist

Pallbearers
Harvey Pederson - Olaf Brende
Nils Aspaas - Dr. Kenneth Aspaas
Mark Aspaas - Gary Greenwalt

Second Funeral Services
Saturday, August 14, 1993
10:00 a.m.
Deep Creek Lutheran Church
Rural Midland, South Dakota

Officiating
Reverend Martin Osterloh

Music
Carmen Allmen - Organist

Pallbearers
John Patton - Roy Roseth
Jack Quinn - Homer Leach

Interment
Deep Creek Lutheran Cemetery
Rural Midland, South Dakota