Albert Gerard Groenewold

Albert (Al) Gerard Groenewold was born April 9, 1957 to Frank and Alice Groenewold in Escondido, California. He attended Calvin Christian grade school and middle school and then graduated from Escondido High School in 1974. He attended Dordt College (University) for one year. Not being sure of what God was calling him to do, he was encouraged to take some time off. He then studied law at San Diego State for one year while being a reserved police officer for the Escondido Police Department. He later attended Reformed Bible College (Kuyper College), graduating with a Biblical Education Studies degree. Later in life, as a father of four small children, he attended school at night and became certified in HVAC, gas fitting, and plumbing.

At the age of 12, Al started working at Ward Egg Ranch after school, collecting eggs. During the summer months, he would work with his father in construction and at Hollandia Dairy. After Reformed Bible College, he worked for VanLaan Concrete Construction in Caledonia, MI; Coast Waste Management in Carlsbad, CA; Van Rooyen Earthmoving in Woodstock, ON; Krygman Plumbing and Heating of Norwich ON; as a General Contractor/Land Developer; as Project Manager for ADJ Enterprises of Escondido California; Visser construction of Escondido CA; Collier Norwood corporation of Escondido CA; and very recently semi-retired from Burgess Concrete Construction in Moline, MI.

Al was united in marriage to Margaret Wassink June 15, 1979 at 3:00 in the afternoon. They were blessed with four children Jevon, Karena, Janeen, and Tyler, along with eleven grandchildren (one expected in June). Al was a beloved father and Papa to his grandkids. He always took time for his kids and grandkids.

Al had a deep faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was a faithful member of multiple churches in his life: Escondido CRC in Escondido, CA; a charter member of Hope CRC in San Marcos, CA; Maranatha CRC in Woodstock ON; a charter member of Crossroads CRC in San Marcos CA; and Heritage CRC in Byron Center, MI. Throughout his life, he served as cadet counselor, elder, and deacon multiple times. He served on several mission projects with World Renew, including the first mission trip to Juticalpa, Honduras in 1990, and was instrumental in the construction of the first mission church in Honduras. Most recently he used his construction knowledge to help rebuild communities devastated by hurricanes in the southern US. He truly had a servant’s heart, and would do anything for anyone who would ask.

Al had a lot of hobbies and interests along with a passion for the outdoors. He loved to fish, camp, hike, raise his small flock of exotic chickens, create and build various projects in his shop with his dog, Koda, read any book or article that could give him more understanding of history or his hobbies. His most recent hobby was learning how to harvest maple syrup.

Al was called into eternal glory April, 16 2022, while he was doing what he loved, working on his property. Blessed by his life are his wife of 43 years, Margaret; son, Jevon (Carrie) Groenewold, Levi, Adelyn, and Reuben of Sioux Center, IA; daughter, Karena (Tad) Groenendyk, Marijka, Natalia, Theodore, Luke, and Anneke of Leduc, AB; daughter, Janeen (Steve) Rose and Eisely of Winter Haven, FL; and son, Tyler (Megan) Groenewold, Octavia, and baby of Grand Rapids, MI. Al leaves behind his brother, Jelmer (Diane) Groenewold; sister, Janice (Chuck) Fondse; father-in-law, Evert Wassink; in-laws Connie (Francis) Van Rooyen, John (Carol) Wassink, Diana Wassink and Bill Zylstra, Dick Wassink (Janette Winter-Wassink), Clarence (Alice) Wassink, Otto (Gracia) Wassink, Evelyn (Henry) Dreise, and Arno (Cathy) Wassink; along with 37 nieces and nephews and their extended families. Al was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Alice Groenewold and mother-in-law, Klaziena Wassink.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Friday, April 22, 2022 at Cook Funeral Home, 2067 84th St., Byron Center, Michigan. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, April 23, 2022 at Heritage CRC, 3089 84th St. SW, Byron Center, MI 49315, with visitation from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Al’s memory, donations may be made to Monroe Community Church, 1020 Monroe Ave. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (https://monroecommunitychurch.churchcenter.com/giving) or World Renew - disaster relief. The family welcomes memories and messages in their guest book online at www.cookcaresbyron.com.