Tena Groote

Sibley, IA Tena Groote, age 89 of Sibley, IA died Thursday, November 17, 2011 at the Country View Manor in Sibley. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM Monday, November 21st at Zoar Presbyterian Church at rural George, IA, with Rev. Dale Lint officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, November 20th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home in Sibley. Tena Wiertzema was born September 14, 1922 to Walter and Angeline (Groenwold) Wiertzema in Osceola County, Iowa. Her childhood years were spent in rural Little Rock, IA where she attended country school. After her education, Tena worked for several families in the area. Tena was united in marriage to the love of her life, George Groote on November 28, 1940. Tena and George shared 60 years together. They enjoyed farming, traveling and dancing, and spending time with their family. When George passed away in 2001, Tena moved to Sibley where she enjoyed volunteering at the daycare center in Sibley, exercising with the Silver Sneakers and baking pies for her family and friends. Most recently Tena was a resident at Country View Manor in Sibley. Surviving Tena are her daughters, Sheryl (John) Heronimus and Sherlene (David) Krogman; six grandchildren, Sheila (Kirk) Smith, Timothy (Laura) Heronimus, Kent (Elena) Heronimus, Amy (Michael) Kolczak, Jeffrey Krogman, and Jennifer Krogman; eleven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one sister, Viola Nash; one brother, Ollie Wiertzema; two sisters-in-law, Lorraine Wiertsema and Delores Wiertzema; and many other extended family. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George Groote; her parents, Walter and Angeline Wiertzema; brothers and sisters, Rose Willemssen, Ann Buchman, Jane Houghton, Gert Groote, Harry Wiertzema, Walt Wiertsema, Angie Boekhout and Grace Gertsema.