Robert Groen

Robert J. Groen was a compassionate and generous man who was known for his inviting smile and keen sense of humor. He loved sharing his love for life with his friends and family, whether by making them laugh or simply by expressing it in his everyday actions.

1932 was a turbulent year in American history. The country was caught in the middle of the Great Depression and families struggled to make ends meet. The New Deal and Social Security were still only campaign promises of Franklin Roosevelt, not yet realized by our country. For Ralph and Elizabeth (VanderWilk) Groen, their new life in America was filled with days of delight and adventures as they awaited the birth of their second child. Son, Robert Jay, arrived on October 15, 1932, bringing great joy to his parents. Robert was eventually the second oldest of five children in the Groen household.

After high school, Robert, like many young men of that time, was called to serve his country during the Korean Conflict. Robert had been a nurse at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, a vocation he would continue with in the U.S. Army. Tragically, his brother Arie died in 1953. Shortly after, Robert returned to Holland to attend Hope College. Robert would later move to Florida to work for J.C. Penney farms.

In 1965, a wonderful thing happened to Robert – he met his future wife, Leslie Joyce Bosch, and they fell deeply in love. Knowing she was the one for him, Robert asked Leslie to be his wife on Valentine’s Day of 1966, and they were happily married later that same year. The newlyweds soon moved to Florida, where Robert worked as a Savings and Loan Manager for Clearwater Federal Savings and Loan. It wasn’t long before Robert and Leslie welcomed two beautiful children into their lives, son Timothy, in 1971, and their daughter, Ellen, in 1974. Their children brought great joy and happiness to the Groen household.

In 1978, Robert’s life would once again take a new direction. It was discovered that he had a brain tumor which was surgically removed, however, the recovery period proved a good time for the Groen’s to return to Michigan to be near family. In 1979, the family settled in Jenison, Michigan, for five years. During this time, Robert was an assistant manager and later a manager for Mutual Home Savings in Loan of Grand Rapids, while wife Leslie raised the two young children. Then in 1984, they made one last move back to Holland, where they took up residence at 73 West 29th Street, and Robert became the manager of the Mutual Home branch on 9th and Central Avenue in Holland.

During this time, the savings and loan companies were going through some tough times, but Robert stayed in banking as long as he was able, until 1987. Together, he and Leslie were committed to providing for their family, and in 1987, Leslie went back to work at J.B. Labs on the lines and later in Quality Control. As parents, they were devoted to their children. Time together was always important, and the family took many opportunities to go camping in their tent camper at Baldwin Oaks in Jenison and whenever possible, they sat down to dinner together.

One thing that upheld Robert throughout his life was his faith in God. He and his wife were active members of Maplewood Reformed Church, where they faithfully attended two services on Sunday and one on Wednesday evening. Throughout his life, Robert enjoyed serving as Deacon Elder and taught Sunday school in the 1970s. Later in life he drew great strength from listening to gospel music, particularly Kings Men Gospel and the Gaither trio.

Although Robert’s life was happy, it was marked with sorrow. He lost his beloved wife Leslie in 1993. Saddened by her passing and his own ailing health, Robert did not give up on life, and instead moved to the close-knit trailer park called Waverly Shores on the north side of Holland. Here Robert was a real social butterfly, taking part in the “Lunch Bunch”, which comprised of fellow residents in the park that met once a week, often at the park clubhouse. This was a very tight “Bunch” and everyone helped take care of each other’s needs. For instance, friends in the group helped with the yard work while others shoveled his driveway in the winter, knowing that his health was not the best. Some of Robert’s every day hobbies included watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy and listening to the radio program “Talk of the Town.” Often times, he would call into the program and talk on air with host Juk VanOss about current events in Holland, the place Robert called home. Robert loved Holland and its many wonderful sights like the lighthouse called “Big Red” in the Holland Harbor, Dutch Village, and the Tulip Time Parade. Robert also soon found an artistic side of himself that he didn’t know he had and put it to great use doing arts and crafts. Some of his projects included modeling cement stone, stained glass windows and displays, and crafting benches for the outside of people’s homes.

Robert and Leslie shared many delights and heartaches together in their twenty-seven years of marriage. Robert took great pride in his children and their successes in life. His daughter Ellen blessed him with three grandsons, Brendon, Anthony, and Dominique, whom he loved spending time with. His son Tim served his country as a United States Marine, was a college graduate and currently works for the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. Over time, the family fostered a close relationship and enjoyed sharing many meals together when Tim visited from Washington. As Robert’s health weakened, he required constant help and entered Haven Park Christian Nursing Home in 2004

Robert was very well liked due to his easygoing nature. He was quite the character, always cracking jokes, but had a soft caring side to him. His dedication to life and his fervor for living will always be remembered by those who shared his love.

Robert Jay Groen of Holland, MI, died on Thursday, November 11, 2004, at Haven Park Christian Nursing Home in Zeeland, MI. He was preceded in death by his wife of 27 years, Leslie Joyce (Bosch) Groen, his brother, Arie Groen, in 1953; his brothers-in-law Dave Nealssohn, and Richard Kruithof; and his sister-in-law Janet Bosch. Robert’s remaining family includes his son, Timothy Ralph Groen of Washington, D.C.; daughter, Ellen Elizabeth Groen of Holland, MI.; three grandsons Brendon, Anthony, and Dominique; brothers and sisters: Betty Kruithof of Holland, MI; Karen Nealssohn of Flint, MI; and Sandra and Floyd Roelofs of Drenthe, MI; in-laws: Keith and Diane Bosch of Suttons Bay, MI; Marcia and Stewart Washburn of Holland, MI; Alan and Jayne Bosch of Jenison, MI; Kathy Linden of Glen, MI; and Mark and Genny Bosch of Portland OR; aunts and uncles: John and Elsie VanderWilk of Zeeland, MI; Florence VanderWilk of Holland, MI; Carol Nash of Holland, MI; Marie Nienhuis of Zeeland, MI; and Harriet Bosch, of Holland MI; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. A Life Story Service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, November 15, 2004, at the Dykstra Life Story Funeral Home, Mulder Chapel, 188 West 32nd Street, Holland, MI. with the Rev. William Unzicker. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery in Holland, MI. Friends may spend time with Robert’s family from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, November 14, at the funeral home. Please visit Robert’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to either Spectrum Memorial Cancer Center or Haven Park Christian Nursing Center.