May DeGroot

As family and friends can surely agree, May De Groot truly understood the secret to a life well lived. She was a constant source of strength, even in the most difficult of times, and she was a shining example of kindness and unwavering faith. Nothing brought May greater joy than surrounding time with her loved ones. Her overflowing heart of service allowed her to impact the lives of countless others. Deeply loved, May will be forever missed by those who knew her best.

The late 1930s were a tumultuous time for the Netherlands and the rest of the world. Most of the globe suffered under the heavy weight of the Great Depression, and tensions that would grow into WWII were quickly reaching a boiling point. It was during this time that Leonard and Mary (DeVries) Vander Wulp were eagerly awaiting the arrival of their baby. On July 17, 1937, they welcomed their daughter, who they gave the traditional Dutch name of Meike Yvonne, into the family.

May was raised in the family home alongside her brother, Richard. From a young age, she enjoyed skating on the ice canals and riding bikes to get around. May had many fond memories of her childhood in the Netherlands. However, her early years were overshadowed by the darkness of WWII. The Vander Wulp family often struggled to make ends meet and even had to resort to eating tulip bulbs at times. Once, May was picked up by the Nazis, who thought she was Jewish because of her dark hair. Her father, Leonard, was able to present her birth certificate and have her released. In search of a brighter future, the Vander Wulp family emigrated to the United States in 1949. They arrived by boat at Ellis Island, and the officials there changed her name from Meike to May. The family then settled down in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to live with Leonard’s brother while they got on their feet.

The Vander Wulps lived on the north side of Grand Rapids and became members of Creston Christian Reformed Church. At the age of 14, May was able to take driver’s training and get her license so that she could help drive the family around while her father was away working as a truck driver. She attended local schools including Grand Rapids Christian. May was very active in her school and her church. She played basketball, even though she was short, and she was also an excellent piano player. May graduated from Grand Rapids Christian in 1955, eager to see what the future held in store for her.

Exciting changes were on the horizon for May as she met the young man who would soon become the love of her life. His name was Renze De Groot, and the two first met at Creston Christian Reformed Church, where Renze’s father served as a pastor. May and Renze connected at a young people’s group gathering, and there was an instant spark between them. Over time, their relationship blossomed, and the two fell deeper and deeper in love. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, May and Renze were married on June 17, 1960, at Creston Christian Reformed Church. Renze’s father, Dr. Rezne De Groot, officiated the ceremony. The newlyweds enjoyed a memorable honeymoon at a cabin on a lake in Northern Michigan, then settled down in an apartment to step into their future together.

Of all the things May loved in life, she cherished her family above all else. She and Renze were overjoyed to welcome their three children, Barbara, Steven, and Renee, into their hearts and home. They raised their family in their longtime home on Aberdeen NE. May thrived in her role as a mother, and she prided herself on caring for her family and making her home into a warm, welcoming space for all. She was very active in the lives of her children, and she strove to be a strong Christian influence for them. Later in life, May was thrilled to become a grandmother and even a great-grandmother. She always considered herself blessed to watch her family grow to include so many loved ones.

May was not afraid to work hard when it came to providing for herself and those who depended on her. She first began working as a bookkeeper for Lyle Ramsey Portrait Studio, but once she became a mother, she turned her focus to raising her family. Later on, May worked in the office at Kelly Health Care. She pursued further education at Davenport University, earning her degree in accounting, and went to work in the finance department at Waste Management. May also worked as an accountant at Old Kent Bank before retiring in 2002.

As an active member in her church and her community, May was dedicated to serving those around her in whatever ways she could. She was involved in the Ladies’ Society at Riverside Christian Reformed Church, and she and Renze were also active in any church programs or activities. They often volunteered after natural disasters, and they volunteered for the Christian Reformed World Relief Commission. May was a strong supporter of the Pregnancy Resource Center in Grand Rapids, and she knitted and donated countless baby blankets over the years.

When reflecting on the life of May De Groot, it is easy to see both her unwavering strength and her unconditional love for her family. She was always willing to go above and beyond to serve others. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, May was a friend to many and beloved by all she met. Her primary focus in life was building deep and personal relationships with those around her. Though she will be dearly missed, May leaves behind a priceless legacy that her loved ones will be proud to carry on in her footsteps.

De Groot: Mrs. May Y. De Groot, aged 87 of Grand Rapids went to be with her Heavenly Father on Sunday October 6, 2024. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Hans Hinkle. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Renze De Groot, her children: Barbara and Timothy Petersen, Steven and Sandra De Groot, Renee and Nicholas Hinkle-De Groot, her grandchildren: Cassie Massolia, Scott and Stephanie De Groot, Samuel and Denee De Groot, Nathanel and Jana Petersen, Benjamin and Raelene Petersen, Sarah and Jessie Fetzek, Josiah Petersen, Levi Hinkle-DeGroot, Meika Hinkle-De Groot, 12 great grandchildren, her brother Richard Vander Wulp, her brothers in-law and sisters-in-law: Agnes Keegstra, Samford and Sharon De Groot, Anne and Dan Doorn and several nieces and nephews. May was a long time and active member of Riverside Christian Reformed Church, now North End Chapel, 604 Comstock Blvd. N.E., where a funeral service will be held Thursday October 10 at 2 P.M. Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family Thursday at the church from 1 P.M. until the time of the funeral service. For those who wish memorial contributions to the Pregnancy Resource Center Grand Rapids, 415 Cherry St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49504, would be appreciated. To read more of May’s life, share a memory and sign the online register book please visit www.heritagelifestory.com