Gary Groenveld

Gary Groenveld, age 85 of Byron Center, originally from Ijlst, the Netherlands, went to be with his Lord and Savior Saturday, December 14, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents Douwe and Janke Groenveld and his brother, Henk Groenveld. Gary will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 62 years, Shirley; children Dan (Mary Jo) Groenveld, Ken (Corinne) Groenveld, and Glen (JJ Ekkens) Groenveld; sisters and brothers Sjoukje Visser Groenveld, Tjits Hoeve Groenveld, Onne (Wil) Groenveld, John (Suki) Groenveld; and sister-in-law, Annie Groenveld. Gary will also be lovingly remembered by his 9 grandchildren Seth (Brianna) Groenveld, Ben (Mariel) Groenveld, Nate Groenveld, Josh Groenveld, Alyssa Groenveld, Leah Groenveld, Grady Groenveld, Faith Groenveld, and Kinzie Groenveld; as well as many special nieces, nephews, and friends.

Gary loved life and was a friend to many. Gary immigrated to the United States from the Netherlands in 1957. He loved his time spent working as a drywall finisher and treasured his retirement years spent camping, traveling, fishing, golfing, bowling, and at a favorite place – Baptist Lake. Gary and Shirley enjoyed 52 wonderful summers together at “the cottage” with his family. Gary was also a longtime member of the First Reformed Church of Byron Center.

A celebration of life service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, December 19, 2024, at The Well Church (formerly First Reformed Church of Byron Center), 8425 Byron Center Avenue SW, Byron Center, with Reverend David Murray officiating. Interment will be at Winchester Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet with Gary’s family from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at Cook Funeral Home - Byron Center Chapel, 2067 84th SW, Byron Center and from 10-11 a.m. Thursday, December 19 at The Well Church in Byron Center. Gary’s family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresbyron.com in their guestbook online.