| [From the Stevens Point Journal, Stevens Point, WI, Mar. 7, 2012]
Bonnie DeGroot (1937 - 2012) Bonnie Rose (Freeman) DeGroot, 74, of Stevens Point, passed away on March 3, 2012, at Northwinds Vent Community in Wausau under the care of Ministry Hospice. Funeral Services for Bonnie will be held Friday at 11 a.m., March 9, 2012, at St. Paul Lutheran Church. The Rev. Thomas Petersen will officiate. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Shuda Funeral Service is assisting the family. Bonnie was born on July 3, 1937, in LaHarpe, Ill. to Leland and Iva (Wessell) Freeman. Her Family moved to Almond in 1947. She attended school in Wisconsin and Illinois, graduating from Janesville School for the Visually Handicapped. She married George DeGroot on July 22, 1959, in West DePere. He preceded her in death in 2009. They moved back to the Almond area in 1964, and to Stevens Point in 1991. Together they ran an Adult Family Home for almost 40 years, touching the lives of over 2 dozen individuals who lived in their home over the years. Bonnie was involved in the community as an advocate for the disabled population. She was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and their YAHS group. She was an active honorary member of Community Friends. Bonnie is survived by her brother, Harold (Joyce) Freeman, Sycamore, Ill.; local niece and nephew, Ruby (Michael) Rajkowski, Almond, and Larry Freeman, Plover; special great-niece and nephews, Brenda Rajkowski, Almond, Scott Rajkowski, Stevens Point, and Peter (Sara) Rajkowski, Wild Rose; special great-grand-nieces and nephews, Kaela, Chloe, Tobin, Sebastian, and soon to be RoseMarie; special friends, Ruban and Richard; and her wonderful sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, and many other nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her husband; parents; and two brother-in-laws. Bonnie's family wishes to thank the staff of Northwinds Vent Community, Ministry Hospice, and CCCW for the wonderful care she received. Thank you to all the home care workers that had helped when she was home. A special thank you to all her friends for their visits, prayers and help in her time of need. |