Mary Elizabeth Degroote

Mary E. DeGroote, 81, of Humboldt, passed away February 3, 2016 at the Paula J. Baber Hospice House in Fort Dodge. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 9, 2016, at the Faith United Methodist Church in Humboldt with the Rev. Albert Ervin officiating; Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Humboldt. Visitation is from 4-7 p.m. Monday at the Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home in Humboldt.
Mary is survived by her son, Steven (Ann) DeGroote of Urbandale; daughters, Nancy (Bill) Bowden of Humboldt, and Molly (Scott) Leisinger of Cedar Falls; grandchildren, Jordan Smith, Colton Smith, Nick (Steph) Bowden, Chelsea (Matt Nunn) Bowden, Andrea Leisinger, Jacob Leisinger, Catherine (Carlos Vergel Infante) Purcell, Sam DeGroote, and Olivia DeGroote; great granddaughters, Shelby and Emma Lea Bowden; brothers, Mark (Jenny) Have of Afton, MN, and Doug (Bettye Sue) Have of Waynesboro, VA; and her sister, Patty Beazley of Waynesboro, VA. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Darrell DeGroote; infant son, Jonathan DeGroote; and brothers, Andy and Harold Have.
Mary Elizabeth Have, the daughter of Otto and Nona (Odgaard) Have, was born January 21, 1935 at Rutland, Iowa. She was raised at Rutland where she attended country school. Following her graduation from Humboldt High School in 1953, Mary went to work for Bankers Life in Des Moines. She was united in marriage to Darrell DeGroote on December 21, 1957 at Humboldt. The couple made their home in Humboldt where they raised their three children, Nancy, Molly, and Steven. She then went to work for the First National Bank in Humboldt where she remained until her retirement. Mr. DeGroote passed away in December of 1988 and Mary continued to maintain her home in Humboldt.
Mary was a member of the Faith United Methodist Church where she was active in UMW. She was also a member of the Humboldt Lions Club and the Humboldt County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She delivered Meals on Wheels and helped with bingo at the South Care Center and the after school program at the Methodist Church. Mary enjoyed traveling and History, and especially loved anything that had to do with her grandchildren. She loved to read and fill her calendar with activities with her many friends. Mary faced her cancer with courage and was involved with Relay For Life as Luminary Chairman.