Memorial services for Johannes “Joe” Groeneweg, 93, of Hollandale will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Hollandale Christian Reformed Church. The Rev. Wendell Davelaar will officiate. Interment will be prior to the service at 9:15 a.m. at Hollandale Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home. Friends may also greet the family one hour prior to the service at the church Friday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Joe died Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018, at St. John’s Lutheran Community in Albert Lea.

Johannes “Joe” John Groeneweg was born July 18, 1924, near Bath in Freeborn County. He was the son of Arie and Pietje Groeneweg. At 6 years old, he moved with his family to the Netherlands, where he attended school. When he was 12, he moved with his family to southern France. While there, World War II broke out and Joe was conscripted to work at a German labor camp as a laborer and later a firefighter on a steam train. When the camp was liberated, he returned home to his family in southern France, found a sponsor in Hollandale and returned to the U.S. He found work on Reynen Farms in Hollandale and in turn sponsored his parents and siblings to come to Hollandale.

He married Dorothy Wynia on Jan. 15, 1952, in the parsonage of Hollandale Christian Reformed Church. Joe was a farmhand until finding employment at Wilson & Co. During this time, he purchased a 160-acre section near Bath, northeast of Clarks Grove and a mile from where he was born.

After retiring from Wilson & Co., he continued to farm until full retirement. He was a faithful caretaker of his wife, Dorothy, until her death in 2010. Joe was a faithful servant of Jesus Christ and a devoted member of Hollandale Christian Reformed Church. He enjoyed conversation with friends and family to keep up with the latest goings-on.

Joe is survived by his children Mary Jo (Duane) Vanderploeg, Tom (Kathie) Groeneweg, Gail (Kevin) Eekhoff, Ed (Julie) Groeneweg and Marty (Peggy) Groeneweg; grandchildren Kurt (Rebecca) Vanderploeg, Jan (Andy) Bernau, Lonna (Tyler) Huerter, Jessica Groeneweg, John (Heather) Groeneweg, Sara Groeneweg, Shawn (Alisha) Groeneweg, Matt (Casey) Eekhoff, Mark (Shanti) Eekhoff, Melinda (Jackie) Cameron, Megan (Chris) Cameron, Jackie Groeneweg, Nathan Smith, Jill Groeneweg and Doni Groeneweg; great-grandchildren Alicia, Addison, Landon, Fiona, Conner, Sophia, Ridley, Blaine, Lily, Andilynn, Carsen, Alex, Dirk, Freya, Cleo, Cordelia and Rosalind; sister, Nellie Wynia; sisters- and brothers-in-law Laura Brouwers, Arlo and Margie Rogstad, Art Goemaat and John VanderStoep; and many nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Dorothy; great-grandson, Robin; brother, Pete Groeneweg; sisters Lena Goemaat and Esther Morrison; and sisters- and brothers-in-law Warren Morrison, Bertha Groeneweg, James “Bud” Wynia, Hank Brouwers and Eslie VanderStoep.