Gustaf "Gus" Groeneveld

Gustaf Joseph Groeneveld, 96, of Breitung Township, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, November 18, 2021. Gus was born March 4, 1925, to the late Floris and Anna (DeGroot) Groeneveld. Gus grew up in Norway on the family farm and was the 12th of 16 children. At the age of 18, Gus was drafted into the Army where he was a machine gunner on a tank in the 3rd Armored Spearhead Division. He was part of the D Day Invasion on the second day @ Omaha Beach. Gus was wounded twice, with the second one being at the Battle of the Bulge. He received both the Purple Heart and the Oak Leaf Cluster. An interview with Gus can be found by Google search: Gustaf J. Groeneveld Veterans History Project. Following his honorable discharge, Gus married Bella Querio on August 16, 1947, at the Immaculate Conception Church in Iron Mountain. They enjoyed 50 years together, and she preceded him in death on December 16, 1997. Gus was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church, Knights of Columbus, VFW, DAV, Purple Heart, Whitetails Unlimited of Dickinson County and the Eastern Dickinson County Sportsmen’s Club. Gus enjoyed carpentry work, gardening, hunting, fishing and going to “Camp G” with family and friends. He was always willing to help anyone who needed a hand as he had a great gift of being able to fix just about anything. Gus is survived by 3 children, Ronald (Joann) Groeneveld of White Lake, MI, Joan Recla of Iron Mountain and Robert (Jean) Groeneveld of Kingsford; 7 grandchildren, Melissa (Tim Lewis) Groeneveld, Robert (Sarah) Groeneveld, Jill (Tabitha Berger) Recla, Nicholas (Aimee) Recla, Margo (Josiah) Juedes, Joel (Kari) Groeneveld and Elisa (Cullen) Testolin; 7 great-grandchildren, Katelyn, Matthew and Brooke Groeneveld, Beau and Julianna Recla, Tucker Juedes and Geno Groeneveld; 1 brother, Raymond (Alice) Groeneveld of Norway; and also many nieces and nephews. Along with his parents and wife, Gus was preceded in death by his grandson, Miles Groeneveld; in-laws Tony and Louise Querio; 10 brothers, Floris, William, George, John, Caesar, Henry, Charles, Louis, Frank and Albert; 4 sisters, Anna Lee, Gertrude Deyaert, Petronelle Williams and Hendricka Larson. Thank you to the Staff at the VA Medical Center and Arms of Angels for the many years of wonderful care. A heartfelt thank you, to our “Special Angel” Donna Aberly. A private family graveside service with military honors was held at Iron Mountain Cemetery Park. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Gustaf Joseph Groeneveld online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

Gustaf "Gus" Groeneveld

March 4, 1925 - November 18, 2021