Lawrence Lee DeGroot

Larry, age 68, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, Sept 18th, 2023. Larry was born to Lawrence M. and Joanne M. (Lueck) De Groot on January 20th, 1955.

 

Larry grew up in Kimberly and attended Holy Name School and Kimberly High School. Larry was lovingly nicknamed Babe for being the baby of the 4 boys in the house for 8 years until his sister came along. Sometime after that he chose “Pud” for himself from the Bazooka Joe Gang comic strips found in the gum wrapper. He is still referred to as Pud by many.

 

He taught himself guitar by ear at a young age and playing guitar became his passion. He proceeded to form a band, Peppermint Ridge, with friends. He went on to join other bands and travel around the country to play Rock and Roll for a few years, and later, lounge music. He settled back in Kimberly and gave guitar lessons at Heid music until just recently. He was also employed by a seafood company and at Looks True Value Hardware.

 

Larry became Worship Leader at Calvary Chapel in Appleton and for over 20 years he faithfully helped countless people praise and worship the Lord through his music ministry.

 

Larry was quick witted and made many people laugh at his dry humor. Laughter is what drew him to the love of his life, Teresa Villarreal De Groot. Married in 2002, Larry and Teresa settled in Little Chute and had 2 children, Emily and Jacob.

 

Larry is survived by Teresa, Emily, and Jacob De Groot, brothers Mike, Mark and Jon De Groot, a sister Kris (Don) Van Roy, Teresa’s family, Hank and April Horath and Cris Villarreal, nieces and nephews, Lisa (Bruce) Keeth, Scott (Lisa) De Groot, Jill (Scott) Thayer, Tara (Jim) Burkhart, Rachel (David) Osterling, Carrie (Travis) Owen, Misty De Groot, Matthew (Amber) De Groot, Lindsay (AJ) Teunissen, Kayln (Tommy) Nelson, Cody Van Roy, Sam Van Roy and many cousins.

 

Larry was preceded in death by parents, Larry Sr. and Joanne, grandparents John and Johanna De Groot and Frank and Sophie Lueck, and many aunts and uncles and cousins.