Gerald Groen April 16, 1937 - March 17, 2010

RAYMOND — Gerald J. Groen, 72, of Raymond, died Wednesday at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.

The service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Raymond Christian Reformed Church. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Raymond.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the church and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorials are preferred to Central Minnesota Christian School, Rice Hospice or the Sandra J. Schulze American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Rochester.

Gerald James Groen was born April 16, 1937, on the family farm north of Renville to George and Gertha (Aalderks) Groen. He grew up in the rural Renville community and attended country school, Central Minnesota Christian School in Prinsburg and later Renville High School, graduating in 1955.

He married Marjorie Visser on Dec. 26, 1958, at the Raymond Christian Reformed Church. Gerald worked at a tire recapping company in Prinsburg from 1958 to 1962. He then farmed northwest of Priam until his retirement in 1999. In December 1999, he was diagnosed with nasal sinus cancer. After surviving surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, he had years of fair health. He enjoyed helping on the farm in retirement. He also enjoyed watching TV, playing games, woodworking and all sports.

He was a member of the Raymond Christian Reformed Church where he served as an elder, deacon and as head of the building committee. He was also a member of the CMCS School Board, Flora Mutual Insurance Board, WestView Village Board and the Raymond Lions Club.

He is survived by his wife, Marge; five children, James (and Nancy) Groen of Sioux Falls, S.D.; Bradley (and Juanita) Groen of Mankato, Jolene (and Michael) Bonnema of Raymond, Michael A. (and Luanne) Groen of Willmar and Shiela (and Robert) Ruter of Willmar; 14 grandchildren; three brothers, Ben (and Adeline) Groen of Renville; Don Groen of Visalia, Calif., and George (and Betty) Groen of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; a sister, Freida (and Delroy) Ledeboer of Prinsburg; a sister-in-law, Charlotte Groen of Prinsburg; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, John Groen and Alvin Groen; two sisters-in-law, Gladys Groen and Hilda Groen; and an infant son, Michael Dean Groen.

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