Carroll Allen Groenenboom

Carroll Allen Groenenboom, age 93, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on February 2, 2022. He was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa on April 17, 1928 to Pieter and Jennie Groenenboom. Carroll is survived by his wife, Lois, and his three children, Sheri VanWoerkom, Steve (Carla) Groenenboom, Mark (Monica) Groenenboom and nine grandchildren; Cara (Nate) Zokoe, Mark (Liza) VanWoerkom, Alex (Samantha) VanWoerkom, Mitchell (Annamarie) Groenenboom, Kirk (Kelly) Groenenboom, Elena and Liesl Groenenboom, Ana Maria and Audrey Groenenboom, and great-grandchildren, Penelope Groenenboom, Addison VanWoerkom, and Logan, Weston, and Henry Zokoe. Carroll was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Don, and his brothers, Harlan Groenenboom and Kenneth Groenenboom. Carroll married his true love, Lois, on September 7, 1956 and recently celebrated their 65th anniversary. Carroll earned a bachelor’s degree from Calvin College, and then served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955, where he was stationed in Germany. Following his army years, he earned a master’s degree from the University of Michigan in Counseling. Carroll joined the State of Michigan workforce in 1958. He accepted a position with Michigan Rehabilitation Services. He earned a well-deserved reputation for his initiative and resourcefulness. He became one of the first counselors to specialize in working with recipients of workers’ compensation. His expertise in this area and success in helping hundreds of Kent County’s disabled workers return to employment led to his hiring by the Department of Workers’ Disability Compensation in 1978. He continued in this position until his retirement. Carroll loved being outdoors. He enjoyed golfing with Lois and Millbrook Church friends, singing in the church choir, traveling with family and friends, working the land through gardening and landscaping, and babysitting for grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved a good crossword puzzle and enjoyed the competition of fast-pitch softball where he pitched and coached his sons, daughter, and son and daughters-in-law. He pitched his last fast-pitch game at the age of 64. Carroll’s favorite trips were travels back to Iowa to visit his brothers and family members. His love for the Iowa Hawkeyes never wavered and he always cheered them on. Carroll’s nephew noted you could take Carroll out of Iowa but couldn’t take the Iowa out of Carroll. Carroll claimed that seeing the unending fields of Iowa corn made him happier than any waves on a beach. Funeral services will be held 11 am Friday, February 4 at Lee St. Christian Reformed Church, 1261 Lee St. SW, Wyoming, with Rev. Steve DeVries officiating. Burial Winchester Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Thursday from 5-7pm at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4031 Clyde Park Ave SW, Wyoming, and from 10-11am before services at church. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Grandville Calvin Christian Schools. Livestream of the service will be available at https://youtu.be/4bT_zskaO9w . Condolences may be sent online at www.mkdfuneralhome.com.