Fern C. Groeneveld

Fern C. Groeneveld

Fern went home to be with her Savior Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Newton, at the home of her daughter Barb.

Visitation with the family was set for 10 a.m., Saturday, May 4, 2024, at the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton. Funeral services for Fern will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. The Rev. Bob Simon, of Immanuel Baptist in Newton, will conduct the services. In lieu of flowers, and as an expression of sympathy, memorials may be designated to Fern’s family, in her name.

Fern Crystal Groeneveld, the daughter of the late Lafe Wesley and Idella Larue (Graves) Sutherland, was born April 17, 1922, near Pleasantville. A lifelong resident of the Grundy and Hardin counties’ areas, she was a graduate of the Albion Senior High School, Class of 1940.  

Fern, “Oma” to her grandchildren, was united in marriage Dec. 16, 1942 with Leslie H.J. “Bud” Groeneveld, “Opa” to his grandchildren, in Grundy County. To this union was born three children: Barbara, Gene and Jon. Fern was employed for many years by Trojan Seed Corn/Phisher Genetics Research Company in Eldora. Fern was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her. She was a member of the Eldora First Baptist Church and later attended Immanuel Baptist Church in Newton. She devoted her life to her family, was an excellent cook, enjoyed bible studies, feeding her birds and squirrels and loved to read. She was a woman who served God through many years of hosting church funeral luncheons, Sunday School teacher, Mary Martha’s, AWANA helper, serving at VBS and supporting missionaries. She and Opa always prayed for their family.

Those left to honor Fern’s memory include her daughter Barbara (Levi) Pence of Newton; her sons: Gene (Marilyn) Groeneveld of Newton and Jon (Rebecca Morrow) Groeneveld of Woodward; her nine grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter; her many nieces and nephews and her many good neighbors and friends. 

Fern was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of seventy-two years, Bud; and her 13 brothers and sisters.

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