William John Groot
Our dear Dad and Grandfather, William John Groot, took his final trip to glory on Tuesday August 8, 2023. The last of the Cutie Grooties.
He was born in Andijk, Holland November 18,1921 and came to Canada along with his parents and siblings in 1926. The family settled on a farm just outside of Edmonton. He took over the family farm, married Bertha VandenBorn in 1955. Together they raised 6 children and partnered in the seasonal and daily work on the farm.
He was a quiet measured man, a potato farmer; his days followed the rhythms of the seasons and the patterns of the work day that are the sustenance of the farm life. He never said no to a drive in the country, a game of scrabble or a piece of chocolate cake. He had a deep abiding faith in God and was a full participant in his church and community throughout his life.
He was a real good Dad and Grandfather; he will be missed by his children Laura (Andrew), Don, Wayne (Luz Maria), Helen (Joel), Marian (Wendell), Jennifer (Theodore), and 12 grandchildren.
The service will be held on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Trinity Christian Reformed, 13427-57 Street NW, Edmonton.
You are welcome to join the family after the service for coffee and fellowship.
A live stream link can be found at https://youtube.com/live/Wl295yAWvxs
Bill was such lovely man. He and Bertha were such a kind couple. I always felt so welcomed when I visited their home. Theirs was a life well lived!
For the short time we lived in Edmonton, Bill and Bertha were still young people and we were younger! Bill was always happy and so pleasant and was a joy to know!
A very dear, kind, gentle and precious man! As his sister Marge lived with us for almost 15 years, we were richly blessed by many visits from he and Bertha coming to California. Precious memories!
Uncle Bill and Aunt Bertha: beloved uncle and aunt. We always felt welcome in their home. We are happy that he had such a good life. Blessings on his children, our cousins as you grieve your father’s death.
When I moved to Edmonton as a young girl, I left behind my family and friends back east. It was not long before Mr. and Mrs. Groot became like my family. They were kind, generous, sweet-natured and always welcoming. There is a special place in heaven for Bill Groot and it will be alongside Bertha.
Uncle Bill and Auntie Bertha. Memories, of my visits with Uncle Bill and Auntie Bertha were a barrel chest hug from Uncle Bill and Auntie Bertha’s freshly baked roggebrood at coffee time. Uncle Bill and Auntie Bertha were genuinely loving, kind, gentle and thoughtful. Many a laugh and a chuckle. The Groot chuckle which all my Groot uncles and aunts had, the only choice I had was to join them.💕
My condolences to Laura, Don, Wayne, Helen, Marian, Jennifer and their families.