Groeneweg, William John "Bill" 1940-2018

GROENEWEG, VANSLOTEN, DEKKERS

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:36

Mr. William Groeneweg, age 78, of Orange City, passed away on Sunday, February 25, 2018, surrounded by his family, at the Orange City Area Health System.

There will be a funeral service on Thursday, March 1, at 2:00pm, at the Calvary Christian Reformed Church in Orange City. The Rev. Carl Klompien and the Rev. John Klompien will officiate. There will be a graveside service at 4:30pm, at the Hope Cemetery in Hull. Visitation will be after 5:00pm on Wednesday, with the family present from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, at the church.

Arrangements are with the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.

William John was born on January 1, 1940, in Hull, the son of Walter and Jesamine (Van Sloten) Groeneweg. He was baptized and made profession of his faith at the First Reformed Church in Hull. He attended the Christian School and graduated from the Western Christian High School, both in Hull. During high school, he worked at the Standard Service Station in Hull. In 1957, he went to work for his father and brothers at Groeneweg Manufacturing in Hull.

On October 30, 1958, “Bill” married Lorraine Ruth Dekkers of Hawarden. They lived in Hawarden for six months and then moved to Hull, where they lived for 45 years. In 1964, when his father passed away, he became sole owner of Groeneweg Manufacturing. In 1981, he and his wife opened the first Pizza Ranch in Hull, which has expanded to many locations in several states. In 1985, he added Auto Value Parts to his business interests. After selling that business in 1991, he worked at Groeneweg and Associates in Hull and at Stand Aid in Sheldon. He also represented Modern Woodman of America Insurance. In 2003, they moved to Orange City, and in 2007, he retired from all work activities. He took pride in his hard work over the years, but was even more proud of his family.

In earlier years, the couple was members of the First Christian Reformed Church in Hull, where he served on the consistory as a deacon and an elder and taught Cadets and Friendship Bible classes. He also served on the boards of directors of the Christian School and Western Christian High School and participated in Bible studies. He was always willing to talk about his faith in his Lord and Savior. He had a passion for Christian education and was thankful his children and grandchildren had the opportunity to attend Christian schools. He loved watching his grandchildren’s activities and playing cards with friends.

Bill was also active in the Hull community, serving on the city council and playing fast pitch softball. He was known to catch for the finest pitchers in the area.

In 1975, Mr. and Mrs. Groeneweg purchased a lake home with friends on East Lake Okoboji, where they enjoyed many hours of boating and skiing. They also did much traveling.

Left to remember him are his wife of more than 59 years; a daughter and two sons and their spouses, Cynthia and Jerry Vande Pol, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Adrie and Marla Groeneweg and Scott and Kim Groeneweg, all of Orange City; eleven grandchildren, Tara (husband, Jeremy) Westerman, Lance Vande Pol, Crista (husband, Steven) Ballard, Jesamine (husband, Greg) Helenburg, Spencer (wife, Lauren) Groeneweg, Ross (wife, Kayla) Groeneweg, Trenton Groeneweg (special friend, Leah Buss), Brady Groeneweg, Dylan Groeneweg, Faythe Groeneweg, and Tait Groeneweg; four great-grandchildren, Beck, Remy, and Gabriel Westerman, and Liliah Vande Pol; three sisters-in-law, Joyce Groeneweg, Carol Apol, and Wilma Obbink, and a brother-in-law and his wife, Daryl and Carolyn Dekkers.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Adrian and Marie Dekkers; three brothers, Wallace, Ronald, and Verlyn Groeneweg, and a brother-in-law, Richard Obbink.

Memorials may be directed to any area Christian school.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.