Harvey DeGroot, 95
October 24, 1929 - March 8, 2025
Harvey DeGroot, 95 of Sioux Falls, SD, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Veteran’s Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.
Visitation with the family present will be from 4 to 6 pm on Thursday, March 13, 2025 at First Christian Reformed Church, 2901 East 26th Street. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 am on Friday, March 14, 2025, at the First Christian Reformed Church with private burial.
Harvey De Groot was born on October 24, 1929, the seventh son of nine children born to Leonard and Jeanette (Vegter) De Groot of Orange City, Iowa. He spent his childhood on several farms in Northwest Iowa. The Great Depression, World War II, and his own military experiences in the Korean conflict were significant influences in his life.
It was at First Christian Reformed Church in Orange City where love first blossomed between Harvey and a young lady named Catherine Ravestein. As was the custom, children at First CRC would go to Sunday School after the worship service and parents would go to the grandparents for coffee and wait for their children to join them after Sunday School. Providentially, Harvey’s grandparents and Cathy’s grandparents lived on the same street. Soon, Harvey was quickening his steps each week to catch up with Cathy and walk with her. Cathy, she admitted later, may have slowed her steps just a bit to make sure he caught up. Harvey and Cathy were married at First CRC in Orange City on September 20, 1951. They were married for 73 years.
Harvey spent his working career as a principal and teacher at Leota Christian School in Leota, Minnesota, Calvin Christian School in Escondido, California, Hope Haven in Rock Valley, Iowa, and Central Christian School in Prinsburg, Minnesota. He loved working with children, teaching them about the wonders of God’s creation and the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.
A theme verse for his life comes from Jeremiah 18:6, “’Oh house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done?’ declares the Lord, ‘Behold, like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.” Reflecting on this verse and his life with Cathy, Harvey said, “God is the Potter who molds and makes His people to do the work He has called them to do. He did this in the lives of two very ordinary, unremarkable people. He did this by allowing them to do His work in their family, and in some special communities of believers.” For Harvey, God deserved all the praise.
Harvey is survived by his wife Cathy, his five children, son Leon (Krina) of Escondido, California, and their daughters Janelle and Sarah; son Jerry (Sandy) of Sioux Center, Iowa, and their children Kim (Luke Darling), Darren (Rachel), and Mark (Hanna); daughter Marlene (Rick Haak) of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and their sons Jonathan (Dawn), Brian, Nathan (Erica), and Jeremy (Heidi); son Kevin (Darlene) of Valley Springs, South Dakota, and their children Alicia (Jonathan Kayser), Denise (Caleb Walsh), Daniel (Emily), Colin (Taylor), Jamie (Daniel Dick), Josh, Bethany, and Hannah; son Norlan (Julie) of Sioux Center, Iowa, and their children Christopher (Jordan), Philip, Megan (Kyle Siegrist), and Amy. Harvey is survived by 21 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, a sister Janice Mouw, three sisters-in-law: Helen De Groot, Marjean De Groot, and Joan De Groot, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers, John and his wife Sally, Bill, Clarence and his wife Jeanette, Harold, Leo; two sisters, Theresa “Trix” Kuiper and her husband Tony, Clarena Van Gelder and her husband Dick; a brother-in-law Peter Ravestein and his wife Muriel, and a sister-in-law Betty Engeltjes and her husband Andrew.
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