Helen Maxine VanGroningen

Helen Maxine Duty Van Groningen was born on January 8, 1930, in McClain County, OK, to Lindsay Ford and Myrtle D Duty. Helen’s mother Myrtle died when she was just 2 months old. She was raised by her Father and Grandparents. In 1937 some of her relatives sent word to move out to California, the land of opportunity. Helen, along with her Father, brother and Grandparents made the move and landed in the Riverdale/Lemoore area. She had a small family, but she had several Aunts, Uncles and cousins that she was very close to. She attended Island District elementary school, then went to Lemoore High School, and then Graduated in 1948 from Hanford High School and in 1951 from 4 C’s Business College.

On September 21, 1953, Helen married Arie Van Groningen. They began their family in the Laton area, then in 1958 they moved to Fresno. They worked very hard in the Dairy industry, and a few years later they purchased Clover Dell Dairy. Helen, alongside Arie, worked tireless hours nearly every day at the dairy, except, when it came to Sundays. That was the day specifically for worship. Helen and Arie made sure that the entire family went to church every Sunday, morning and evening. Helen played the piano every Sunday, sometimes for both morning and evening services. She rarely missed a Sunday. She was a Sunday school teacher and Bible study leader for numerous years.

Helen and Arie loved to travel in their motorhome. They belonged to a club and met with them once every month on an “outing”. They were also Camp Hosts for Camp Edison in Shaver Lake for 10 or so years. They loved meeting the new campers and developing a great friendship with the other camp hosts. Helen started a bible study group with the other women camp hosts. She truly had a gift of teaching something that was dear to her heart, and that was the love she had for the Lord. She loved playing cards with whoever would play, and loved playing dominoes at the church with her friends.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband Arie, Brother Lloyd Duty, Daughter-in-law Katherine and her parents Lindsay and Myrtle Duty.

Helen is survived by her children: Joe and his wife Donna, Roger and his wife Larinda, Danny and his wife Mary, Rick, and Lori Routt and her husband Ronald; 14 grandchildren: Jennifer and her husband Terry, Jason, LeeAnn and her husband Aaron, Larissa and her husband Evan, Lindsay, Lacey, Daniel and his wife Andrea, Michael and his wife Sarah, Kevin and his wife Ashley, Cory and his wife Kristen, Emily and her husband Kyle, Kristin and her husband Henry, Stephen and his wife Katelyn, Jeffrey and his fiancé Bailey; 23 great-grandchildren: Kyle, Melissa, Harley, Mason, Aubrey, Hailee, Brinley, Hallie, Bo, Reese, Landon, Sullivan, Leslie, Joanna, Madilyn, Lenny, Hudson, Parker, Blake, Layne, Logan, Owen and Nolan; sister-in-law Zoe and many nieces and nephews.

The Family is extremely grateful for the excellent care Helen received for the 4 ½ years she lived at Somerford Place. They were her extended family and it was very satisfying to know of the great care she was being given.

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be June 9, 2021 at 10:00 am at Fresno Christian Reformed Church.