Representative Kenneth R. De Groot View All Years

KENNETH R. DE GROOT

Mr. Speaker: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character, and public service of the late Honorable Kenneth Roy De Groot, begs leave to submit the following Memorial:

Kenneth De Groot was born on October 16, 1929, in Sioux County. On June 1, 1950, he married Clarretta Jane Risseeuw at Hull, Iowa. To this union, three sons and one daughter were born.

After attending rural schools, Kenneth attended Hull High School, Iowa State University and Northwestern College. He was a dairy farmer and as his sons grew older they became involved in the farming operating, resulting in the forming of a partnership, DG Valley-View Farms. In addition to farming for forty-two years and serving in the Iowa House of Representatives for fourteen years, Kenneth was active in farm organizations. He served as a D.H.I.A. supervisor, secretary of the Land O’Lakes Northwest Iowa Dairy Division, a member and office holder in Farm Bureau, Lyon County Zoning Commissioner and a 4-H Leader. In addition, Kenneth was very active in his church, serving as an office holder on the church board, Sunday School teacher, Northwest Iowa Adult Bible Conference Board Member, Youth Group President, Adult Bible leader, President of the Siouxland Sunday School Association, Vice President of the Midwest Reformed Men’s Brotherhood. Kenneth also served as a Lay Minister in the Reformed Church and was active in the Gideons International. He served as Co-State Chairman of the American Legislative Exchange, on the Foster Grandparents Advisory Board and was a member of the Iowa Highway Research Board.

Among the many awards he received were the Appreciation Award by the Community Mental Health Center, the National Vocational Ag. Teachers Association Outstanding Service Award, FFA Distinguished Service Award, Master Pork Producer and Milk Producer Service to Agriculture Award.

A Republican, Mr. De Groot represented Lyon, Osceola, O’Brien and Sioux Counties during the Sixty-eight, Sixty-ninth, Sixty-ninth Extra, Sixty-ninth Second Extra, Seventieth, Seventy-first, Seventy-second, Seventy-second Extra, Seventy-third, Seventy-fourth, Seventy-fourth Extra, and Seventy-fourth Second Extra General Assemblies.

Kenneth Roy De Groot died April 22, 1993. He is survived by his wife, Clarretta; his sons, Reverend Perry of Spencer, Iowa, Wesley and Kendall of Doon; one daughter Nyla Zeilstra of Mendon, Missouri; his mother, Agnes; two brothers and two sisters plus seventeen grandchildren.

Now Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Seventy-sixth General Assembly of Iowa, That in the passing of the Honorable Kenneth R. De Groot, the State has lost an honored citizen and a faithful and useful public servant, and the House, by this Resolution, would express its appreciation of his service.

Be It Further Resolved, that a copy of the Resolution be spread upon the Journal of the House, and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.

RICHARD VANDE HOEF

RALPH KLEMME

CLIFFORD BRANSTAD

Committee