De Groot, Leo Peter 1934-2023

DEGROOT, VEGTER, NIBBELINK

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/8/2023 at 12:20:50

Mr. Leo P. De Groot, age 88, of Orange City, passed away on Thursday, January 12, 2023, at the Prairie Ridge Care Center in Orange City.

A visitation with the family present will be held on Saturday, January 21, from 11:30am to 12:30pm, at the First Reformed Church in Orange City. There will be a funeral service on Saturday, at 1:00pm, at the church with the Rev. Aldon Kuiper officiating. Interment will follow the service at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City. The Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City is in charge of arrangements.

Leo Peter was born on July 28, 1934, near Orange City, the eighth child, and youngest boy, of the nine children born to Leonard and Jeanette (Vegter) De Groot. Born toward the end of The Great Depression, material wealth was scarce, but there was no lack of laughter and fun in the large and boisterous De Groot family.

When he was seven years old, the United States entered World War II, and his life was greatly impacted by the service of his three oldest brothers. Leo often recounted their stories to his children and grandchildren. The patriotism of his family during this time affected Leo throughout his lifetime and the military service of three of his sons, as well as a number of grandchildren, is no coincidence.

Leo attended Western Christian High School in Hull, where fellow choir member Joan Nibbelink captured Leo’s attention. Music was a source of great joy for Leo and Joan, from the very beginning of their relationship until the very end. Leo graduated from Western in 1952 and he and Joan were married on August 14, 1953.

His wife Joan was the love of his life, and he spent the majority of his life working hard to provide for her and for the six children produced by their love. Family was a source of great joy for both Leo and Joan.

Leo’s comfort and hope was that he belonged, body and soul, in life and in death, to his faithful Savior Jesus Christ. He was a sinner saved by grace, and God’s grace to Leo is evident in the many Providential strands woven together into the tapestry that was his life. Each story, each trial and joy, was a testimony to God’s grace and power, wisdom and care for Leo throughout his 88 years. He who began a good work in Leo will be faithful to complete it at the day of Jesus Christ. (Phil. 1:6)

Survivors include his wife Joan; six children, Ron De Groot, of Phoenix, Arizona; Bruce De Groot, and wife Chery, of Cheyenne, Wyoming; Donna, and husband Jerry Muilenburg, of Orange City; Joe De Groot, and wife Cindy, of Chester, South Dakota; Quintin De Groot, and wife Jane, of Sanborn; Vincent De Groot, and wife Twila, of Sioux Center; seventeen grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; a brother, Harvey De Groot, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and a sister, Janice Mouw, of Ontario, California.

Leo was proceeded in death by his parents, as well as four brothers, John De Groot, Clarence De Groot, Bill De Groot, and Rev. Harold De Groot; two sisters, Theresa “Trix” Kuiper and Clarina Van Gelder; and one great grandchild, Carter Alan Janes.

Memorials will be given to the Pioneer Memorial Home in Orange City.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.