Arie Lenord Van Groningen

Arie Van Groningen was born on May 12, 1929, in Laton, CA, to Johannes and Jansje Van Groningen. He was the fourth child of five. Their family lived on a dairy. Arie met Helen Maxine Duty and they married on September 21, 1953. They started their family in Hanford and ended up residing in Fresno, CA, where they raised their five children.

Arie enjoyed traveling in their motor home and hit most, if not all, 50 states. He especially enjoyed being camp hosts at Camp Edison every year after retiring. He enjoyed talking to the campers and taking care of the camp grounds in his area. Arie also enjoyed playing cards and dominoes with family and friends. He was a man of God and the Spiritual Leader of his home. Arie made sure his family went to church and that they never missed a service.

In 1958, Arie moved his family to Fresno. A few years later he started a family business after finding the perfect place for a dairy. He bought Clover Dell Dairy. He was a hard worker and dedicated many years and long hours to the family business. He taught his children good work ethics at a very young age. Even after Arie decided to close the dairy, he always took care of his cattle. Cows became a hobby of his for years to come.

A very special thank you to Nancy at Hinds Hospice, for the care and loving way they took care of our husband and dad.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Neil Van Groningen, Eimert Van Groningen, and Albert Van Groningen; his sister, Jennie Fipps; and his parents, Johannes and Jansje Van Groningen.

He is survived by Helen, his wife of 62 years; children, Joe and his wife Donna, Roger and his wife Larinda, Danny and his wife Mary, Rick and his wife Kathy, and Lori Routt and her husband Ronald; 14 grandchildren, Jennifer and her husband Terry, Jason and his wife Shelly, LeeAnn and her husband Aaron, Larissa and her husband Evan, Lindsay, Lacey, Daniel and his wife Andrea, Michael and his wife Sarah, Kevin, Cory, Emily and her husband Kyle, Kristin and her husband Henry, Stephen and Jeffrey; 12 great-grandchildren, Harley, Chloe, Mason, Kyle, Melissa, Aubrey, Hallie, Bo, Reese, Landon, Sullivan and Hudson; brother, Tom and his wife Grace; sister-in-law Claudine; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Stephens & Bean Chapel on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.

A Graveside Service will be held at Belmont Memorial Park on Wednesday, March 2, 2016, at 10:00 a.m.

Following the Graveside Service, there will be a Memorial Service at Christian Reformed Church, 1639 W. Shields Avenue, Fresno, CA 93705, at 11:30 a.m. with a reception to follow.

Remembrances may be made to Fresno Christian Reformed Church, 1639 W. Shields Avenue, Fresno, CA 93705.

Arrangements under the direction of Stephens & Bean Funeral Chapel, Fresno, CA.