Marylin DeGroot

Marylin Jean Sweers was born September 10, 1932 at home on 1447 Jennette near Richmond Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was baptized in Seventh Reformed Church and confessed her faith in Jesus Christ at the age of 17.

When she was three years old the family moved to 1056 Alpine Ave. NW. She attended Kindergarten through sixth grade at Stocking Public Schools. Marylin completed the 7th & 8th grades at Harrison Park and later to Union High school where she graduated in 1950. She peddled the "Shopping News" paper, every Wednesday during her 7th & 8th grades and later had a part time job, after school working at the Postma Egg Company. During spring of her Senior year of High School, she worked part time in the office at White & White Pharmacy. She was taking a class in office practice and was able to receive credit for working. After graduation this turned into a full time job. She was in charge of accounts receivable for almost 8 years.

In 1946 she was a junior Brides Maid at her brother Bill's wedding and Robert De Groot was a junior usher. This was the first time they saw each other. They were 14 years old so they each had other things on their mind. However, later Marylin would see Bob, his dad and his brother Loren selling peanuts and popcorn at the football games at Houseman field when Union was playing. She would point him out to her friends and order popcorn sometimes. It was after high school when Marylin's sister-in-law convinced Bob to give Marylin a call. He did call her and they had their first date on Thanksgiving Day 1951. They went to see a Billy Graham movie, "Mr Texas" at the stadium on West River road. After the movie and being a holiday Bob took her to meet all his relatives at his grandparents house for dessert. Marylin was quite nervous.

They dated for sometime before Bob was drafted into the United States Army on November 2, 1952 during the Korean War. They were engaged at the time but as yet no plans for the wedding until Uncle Sam discharged him.

Bob spent most of his two years at Fort Knox in the Military Police training troops and assisting the Kentucky Highway Department. He had many weekends off and he and his buddies from Michigan took off for home. Marylin would anxiously await his arrival at almost midnight on Saturday. He would leave again on Sunday after dinner. They made the trip back to Fort Knox, Kentucky in seven hours. Marylin still can't imagine how fast those guys made the trip in seven hours. No super highways. No speed limit either.

Prior to their wedding May 12, 1955 in Seventh Reformed Church they bought their first home. It was located at 1337 Powers where they lived for eleven years. A few years later Marylin left her job at White & White Pharmacy after almost eight years. It was time to start their family. The first of their four children was Mary who was born 1958, son Edward in 1961, daughter Carol in 1964 and son, Robert in 1966. When Rob was 9 months old they sold their home on Powers Ave. On December 30, 1966 they moved to O-376 Leonard NW which was larger and in the country with lots of yard to play in. The two oldest kids attended Delaney School on 8th Ave & Lake Michigan Drive.

When the kids were young summers were a wonderful time and they had many memorable vacations together. Sometimes simple trips to the beach and later traveling throughout the United States in their station wagon with their camper in tow. Although they suffered many a rainy night they made the best of being together. The kids remember seeing every presidential museum because of their father's interests in cultural experiences. During their vacation in Washington D.C., it rained every day so they took advantage of touring every Smithsonian building to keep dry. By the time they left D.C. and headed for Hershey, Pennsylvania the roads began to flood. When they had arrived at the Hershey chocolate factory it was closed because of flooding. They never did get to tour it. It was really bad when their camper began to leak and the water was over the running boards of the semi trucks. The following year traveling out west in North Dakota they were having prayer meetings praying for rain. After visiting Salt Lake City and Estes Park they were having floods there too. They had a history of bringing rain wherever they camped.

By the 1970's the family started camping regularly at Cran Hill Ranch near Big Rapids and Bob saw a need to work on projects. He began serving on the Property Committee and served for over 29 years. Marylin also began working in the kitchen and helped with many dinners and other projects.

For 30 years every Labor Day weekend they camped with family and friends at Kamstra's cabin on the Little Manistee River near Irons, Michigan. What fun floating on inner tubes and going on many canoe floats. Many nights were spent playing games or enjoying the fun around the fire.

In 1988 Bob & Marylin and their son Ed went on a mission trip to Haiti with a large group from Remembrance Church. It was a life changing experience for each of them with the poverty and living conditions of this small island.

Bob earned many incentive trips through his sales positions and he and Marylin had the unique pleasure of going to places like Ireland, Switzerland, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Hawaii, Montreal, Canada, San Diego. They also went on two Caribbean cruises. Following Bob's death on November 11, 2005 their dear friends still included Marylin on several trips. One to San Francisco, an Alaskan Cruise, and several closer to home. They had many special times together.

After retirement they bought a travel trailer and vacationed many winters on Nettles İsland in Jensen Beach, Florida. They enjoyed their time there and made many wonderful friends. Even after Bob's death Marylin rented a place on Nettles Island for several more years.

Bob and Marylin celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary, on May 12, 2005 with a wonderful open house. Later that year on November 11, 2005 her beloved Bob passed. Following the passing of Bob, Marylin moved into the independent living facility of Edison Christian Rest Home. Marylin enjoyed making many friends and enjoyed her time at Edison.

Marylin Jean (Sweers) DeGroot age 93 passed into the glorious presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Robert, daughter Mary Bruggema, her parents Edward and Frances Sweers, brothers and sisters-in-laws James (Ruth) Sweers, Willard (Ardith) Sweers, Kenneth (Marilyn) Sweers and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Loren (Joy) DeGroot. She is survived by her children Ed & Mary DeGroot, Carol & Paul DeVries, Rob & Jill DeGroot, and son-in-law Marc Bruggema. Grandchildren, Tom & Alisha Bruggema, Dave & Megan Bruggema, Julia DeGroot, Anna DeGroot, Brent DeVries, Sheila & Nate Postmus, Ryan DeVries, Sarah & Alec Lueders, Rachel DeGroot and Ben DeGroot. Great Grandchildren, Brendon, Carter, Makenna and Emmett Bruggema, Ryker Bruggema, and Wren Postmus. Many nieces, nephews and friends.

Marylin’s deep devotion to her God and her family brought out the tender loving qualities of unconditional love and acceptance. Serving came naturally to her. She loved the Lord and actively served Him faithfully at Remembrance Reformed Church where she worked as secretary for 27 years. She sang in the choir and taught Sunday School and Bible School, was a facilitator in the Grief Share program, and Seniors Ministries. She cooked dinners for the Youth Club ministries, worked on funeral receptions and many other opportunities serving in the church kitchen. She loved serving her Lord in several other ministries throughout the years, including Cran Hill Ranch and the Women’s Service Board of the Christian Rest Home. In her later years she maintained the library at Edison Manor where she resided in independent living.

The family thanks the staff at Edison Christian Life Services and Faith Hospice for their excellent and compassionate care.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday September 12, 2026 at 11:00 at Remembrance Church, 4575 Remembrance Rd NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534. Visitation will be held on Friday September 11, 2026 from 4 – 6 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes Alt and Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW, Grand Rapids 49504. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at church. Interment at Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Edison Christian Life Services (formerly Christian Rest Home).