Karl J. Groenewold, 67, of Morrison, IL, died Sunday, March 15, 2015, at Rockford Memorial Hospital in Rockford, IL.
Karl was born December 25, 1947, in Chicago, IL, to John H. and Alice H. (VanderLaan) Groenewold, Sr. He attended Detroit High School in Detroit, MI, and was a graduate of City Barber College in Detroit, and also of Scott Community College in Davenport, IA. He married Ruth Ann (Kooi) Ammon on August 4, 1972, in Fulton, IL. She died on August 6, 2002. On November 22, 2003, he married Donna J. (Root) Tippen in Morrison. Karl was a veteran of the U. S. Army, serving during the Vietnam War. He was first employed by the former Chicago and North Western Railroad as a car welder. Most recently he was a self-employed truck driver and owned and operated K & R Trucking, until retiring in December 2007. Karl was a member of Morrison Christian Reformed Church and served as a deacon. He enjoyed yard work and fishing.
Survivors include his wife, Donna; his mother, Alice Groenewold-Redeker of Waupun, WI; four sons, Jerry Ammon of Fulton, Jeffrey Groenewold of Fulton, Justin Groenewold of Fulton, and Jason (Roxanne) Groenewold of Morrison; one step-son, Randall (Tonya) Stricker of Thomson, IL; seven grandchildren, Alex Groenewold, Madison Anderson, Drew and Hailey Hall, Morgan Ammon, Annmarie and Brianna Groenewold; six step-grandchildren, Shawn Schaefer, Arlene (Ryan) Wiersema, James Hatt, Tashia Hansen, Tyler (Jessica) Stricker, Ashley Stricker; four great-grandchildren, Marquise Smith, Jr., Ross Wiersema, Sammy Wiersema, Melody Wiersema; one sister, Kathy (Robert) Bille of Waupun; one brother, James (Lois) Groenewold of Waupun; two stepsisters, Janet DeVries and Eilline VantHoff, both of Waupun; one stepbrother, Larry (Ruth) Redeker of Hartford, WI.
Karl was preceded in death by his father, Rev. John Groenewold; his stepfather, Otto Redeker; his first wife, Ruth Ann; one brother, John Groenewold, Jr.; one sister-in-law, Frances Groenewold.
FUNERAL SERVICE: 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 21, 2015, at Morrison Christian Reformed Church
OFFICIATING: Rev. Dr. James T. Petersen, Pastor, Morrison Christian Reformed Church
VISITATION: 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 20, 2015, at the Morrison Chapel–Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home
INTERMENT: Fulton Township Cemetery, Fulton, IL
Memorials may be sent to Morrison Christian Reformed Church, Morrison, IL.