Ben Groeneweg

Ben Groeneweg, 98, of Rock Valley, Iowa died Monday, February 8, 2016 at Fellowship Village in Inwood, Iowa. Memorial service will be held Saturday, February 13, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at First Reformed Church of Rock Valley with Rev. Garry Nyenhuis officiating. Private family burial will be held prior at Richland Cemetery of Inwood. Visitation, with the family present, will be held Friday, February 12, 2016 at Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley from 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Benjamin Groeneweg was born on June 18, 1917, at Stickney, South Dakota to Tony and Jessie (Kok) Groeneweg. He grew up in the Stickney and White Lake, South Dakota area where he attended school and also worked for farmers and the country store. In 1937, Ben moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan where he met and married Wilma Anema on September 15, 1939. He worked in various factories there. They moved to a farm near Inwood in 1949, where he farmed for more than 30 years. Wilma passed away on February 8, 1985. Ben moved to Rock Valley in 1986 and was married to Marlys Schouten. He entered Fellowship Village in November 2014. He was a long time member of Bethany Reformed Church in Canton, South Dakota and First Reformed in Rock Valley. He enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling, woodworking and living out his Christian faith by witnessing to others.

He is survived by his wife Marlys

Three daughters – Carol & Mace Van De Stroet of Inwood

Gloria & Jerry DeRidder of Primghar, Iowa

Marcia & Matt Danielson of Austin, Texas

Grandchildren and great grandchildren -

John & Melanie Van De Stroet - Brian, Janet, Bruce, and Jordan

Kara & Dustin Schouten - Karissa & Rebecca

Darrin & Heidi Van De Stroet - Dolan & Hayden

Jamie & Heath Van Voorst – Kyler & Tyson

Jason DeRidder

Travis & Kara DeRidder – Willa

Ben & Brandy Danielson – Syah

Sara & Johnny Axtell – Noah & Lucy

And Marlys’ children – Dean, Roger, and Ken Schouten, and Gloria Vink and their families.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Wilma; three young children, Lois, Gordon, and Barbara; four brothers – Adrian, Arthur, Henry, and Tony; two sisters – Grace Kuyper and Rena Van Peursem; and two great grandchildren – Mason Danielson and Maelynn DeRidder.

Visitation

6:00 - 7:30 p.m. ,Friday, February 12, 2016
Porter Funeral Home ~ Rock Valley
1704 15th Street Rock Valley, Iowa, Sioux 51247

Memorial Service

11:00 a.m. ,Saturday, February 13, 2016
Rock Valley First Reformed Church
1501 16th Street Rock Valley, Iowa, Sioux 51247