Groenendyk, Willem

GROENENDYK, JOHNSON, MCGEE

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/18/2005 at 20:08:27

Funeral services for Willem Groenendyk, 83 of Tracy, who passed away Sept. 30, were held Oct. 4 at Union Liberty Church in Bussey. The Rev. Paul Hughes officiated, Pam Hughes was the organist, and Paulette Williams was the pianist. Interment was at Sandridge Cemetery in Tracy. Casket bearers were his grandson and honoray bearers were Dan Sneller and Roger Vance.

Harlan Groenendyk was born on September 1, 1920 to Eldert and Sarah Anna Johnson Groenendyk. Willem attended grade school in Tracy and graduated from the Tracy High School. He lived with his parents and worked with his father on the farm south of Tracy.

On June 20, 1942 he and Thelma Hazel McGee were united in marriage at Kahoka, Mo. Following their marriage they lived south of Tracy for one year and then moved into a home in Tracy where they continued to live the remainder of their married life. "Dutch", as he became known, and Thelma became the parents of five children: Barbara Ann, Willem Jr. who died soon after birth, Ellen Elaine, Eldert Leroy and Patricia Rose.

"Dutch" worked at the rock quarry and then sand plants/pits. He then did conservation work building ponds. He and his father owned and operated Groenendyk Sand and Gravel together for many years. "Dutch" was a heavy equipment operator, driving a dozer and operating a dragline all of his working life.

He is survived by his wife Thelma, four children and their spouses: Barbara and Donald De Wit of Tracy; Ellen and Eddie Parmer of Van Wert; Eldert Groenendyk; Patricia Van Toorn of Knoxville; 13 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Of his original family, "Dutch" leaves his brother, Charles Paul (Bud) and his wife, Beulah (Van De Wall) Groenendyk and his sister, Anna Pauline (Albert) Nikkel of Tracy.

He was preceded in death by his infant son, Willem Jr.; a son-in-law, Charles Bryon Van Toorn; his parents: Eldert and Sarah Groenendyk; a brother, Eldert Clifford Groenendyk; his brother-in-law, Albert H. Nikkel; his parents-in-law: Andrew and Margaret Jones McGee; and his wife's three brothers and five sisters.

For those desiring, memorials may be designated for Mahaska County Hospice or the Union Liberty Church at Bussey.

The Pella Chronicle, October 9, 2003