Groen, Gary LeRoy 1947-1956

GROEN, DYKSTRA, LYFTOGT

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke--Volunteer
Date: 2/12/2017 at 16:04:19

Source: Sioux Center Capital (10-4-1956)

Born: November 7, 1947
Died: 1956

GARY GROEN, 8, DIES FOLLOWING INJURY BY CAR

Sheriff Harry Dykstra said this week there is no evidence of “hit and run” in the accident which took the life of eight-year old Gary LeRoy Groen at Sioux Center last week Wednesday evening.

Mrs. Elmer J. Duistermars of Sioux Center said she was driving south on highway 75 at the north edge of town when she saw an object roll down the highway in front of her car. She does not admit or deny that her car struck the boy.

After stopping her car, Mrs. Duistermars said she found the unconscious boy. She ran to the Sioux Motel to call for help. The boy’s mother and another woman responded. The motel is owned and operated by the boy’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Groen.

Gary was taken to the Sioux Center Hospital, where he died two hours later.

Law authorities believe that Gary ran in front of Mrs. Duistermar’s, car and that the accident was entirely unavoidable. Sheriff Dykstra said there are dents in the right hood and fender of the car.

Sheriff Dykstra and Highway Patrolman Haze said this week that they were told Gary’s shoes were still on the highway following the accident. His body was 14 feet away in the ditch. His shoes indicated he had taken a full step on the highway before he was struck. The officers said that Mrs. Duistermars was meeting another car coming from the south, and that Gary was probably watching the other car.

Gary was born November 7, 1947. He was in the fourth grade in the Newkirk Consolidated School and was a baptized member of the Newkirk Reformed Church.

Survivors include his parents, Peter and Minnie Groen; one sister, Tonia Joy, 2 ½ year old; his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Dykstra of Rock Valley and Mr. Ben Lyftogt of Sheldon.

Funeral services were held at the Newkirk Reformed Church Saturday afternoon, September 29, with Reverend Klaaren from Sioux Center officiating at the services. Margene and Stanley De Haan sang “Safe in the Arms of Jesus,” and “Beyond the Sunset.”

Interment was in the Newkirk Cemetery with Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Pallbearers were Arie Bomgaars, Jake Van Es, Cornie Vande Hoef, Ben Schiebout, Ralph Van Zyl and Andrew Vander Maaten.