Marjorie Griffin Groll was born in Atlantic, Iowa, on October 25, 1913. She attended school in Atlantic and was an editor for the high school newspaper, "The Needle." She was also actively involved in 4-H. Groll graduated from high school in 1931 and attended the American Institute of Business (1931). Later, she enrolled at Iowa State College (University) and received her B.S. (1937) in foods and nutrition and journalism. As a student at Iowa State, Groll was heavily involved in the student home economics journal, Iowa Homemaker. She served on the publication's board, as a circulation manager, editor, and editor in chief.



After college she wrote for the Detroit Times under the pen name of Prudence Penny. She supplied recipes and helpful housekeeping tips for women. She also wrote for the Chicago Daily News under the pen name of Mary Star and worked for Capper's Farmer writing recipes and housekeeping tips for women. Groll also published a cookbook, "How to Cook" (call number TX651 G875h).



She married George C. Groll.