Racine- Donald H. DeGroot, 77, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on Friday, June 2, 2006 following a courageous battle with cancer. A lifetime resident, Don was born in Racine on October 1, 1928 to Peter and Mary Anna (nee: Barth) DeGroot. He faithfully served our Country with the United States Army as a Staff Sergeant during the Korean War. On October 2, 1954 in St. Edward Catholic Church, Don was united in marriage with the love of his life, Joan Kozel. He was very proud of their nearly 52 years of marriage. Formerly employed by Borden Dairy and by Service International Business Forms, Don began his real estate career in the 1970’s. A man of truth and honesty, he established many trusting relationships with clients and truly excelled as a realtor with his longtime employer, N. Christensen & Son Real Estate Inc., not retiring until his health began to fail. A man of great faith, Don was an active and valued member of St. Lucy Catholic Church where he volunteered in many different capacities. He was also a member of Kiwanis Club of Greater Racine. Among his interests, Don enjoyed golfing, hiking, bowling, reading, studying WWII history, and was an avid Packer and Badgers fan. Above all, Don loved and cherished being in the surroundings of his entire family. Surviving are his wife, Joan; children, Lori DeGroot of Racine; Mary Kay (Stan) Winarski of Germantown; David (Laura) DeGroot, Barbara (Ben) Baran, both of Racine; Donna Jo (Ken) Wilkinson of Sturtevant; and Patti (Ryan) Jones of Franklin; grandchildren, Becca and Peter Winarski; Steven & Scott Baran; Daniel Wilkinson; Colin and Riley Jones; sisters, Bernice Sullivan and Joan Seitz of Racine; brother, Raymond (Rosemary) DeGroot of Racine; sisters-in-law, Evelyn DeGroot of Racine; Vivian DeGroot of Vero Beach, FL; and Marion DeGroot of San Diego, CA; brother-in-law, Wayne Frayer of Racine; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and special friends too numerous to mention by name. In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his grandson, Jacob Thomas Jones; sisters, Eleanor Arentz and Evelyn Frayer; brothers, Richard, Gerald and Edward DeGroot; and by brothers-in-law, Bud Arentz, Paul Sullivan and Don Seitz. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 at St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Avenue, at 10:30 am with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. Interment, with military honors, will follow in West Lawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Monday from 5-8 pm and in the church on Tuesday from 9:30-10:30 am. In memory of Don, memorials to St. Lucy Church, American Cancer Society or to the Racine Public Library have been suggested. A heartfelt note of thanks to our neighbors, friends, extended family at N. Christensen, Dr. Michael Mullane and staff, and Hospice Alliance for the compassionate care, support and prayers that were so warmly offered during Don’s illness. God bless all of you!
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