Marilyn Mae Groothuis

Marilyn Mae Groothuis, 82, of Cedar Falls, died Friday, April 1, 2022, at UnityPoint Health Allen Hospital in Waterloo.  She was born December 23, 1939, in Midland, Michigan, the daughter of William and Dorothy (Berridge) Ballard.  When Marilyn was four her mother died, and she and her twin sister Carolyn were raised by their grandparents, Roland and Geneva Berridge. Marilyn was 16 when she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior while on vacation in Huntsville, ON, Canada. She was a 1958 graduate of Midland High School and later the Lansing School of Nursing in Lansing, Michigan.  Marilyn married Glen Groothuis on November 6, 1965 in Midland. Her employment included nurse's training at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan, an assistant to an oral surgeon in Midland, a film retouching assistant to her uncle, Grant Williams, and nursing at Midland Hospital and Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo. Marilyn was also a wife and mother. She owned and operated a daycare service out of her home for many years.  Her missionary work included making blankets & layettes for mothers and their newborns and collecting donated items for those in need in both Zambia and Ukraine. Marylin was in happy fellowship at the Cedar Falls Gospel Hall since she and Glen moved into the area. She lived her life loving people and serving her Savior.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Dr. Glen Groothuis, of Cedar Falls; her children, Todd Groothuis of Olalla, Washington, Trent (Bridget) Groothuis of Charlotte, North Carolina, Teresa (Bob) Smith of Cedar Falls, Brad (Rebecca) Groothuis of Marion, Iowa, and Brent (Shirlee) Groothuis of Auburn, ON, Canada; 30 grandchildren and one great granddaughter; her half brother, Bill Ballard, Jr.; her half sister, Margaret Wioskowski, and will be sadly missed by many nephews and nieces .

She was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters, Pat Fillmore, Bev Bechler, her twin sister Carolyn O'Keefe and a sister in infancy; and a half sister, Debbie Mendoza.

Her funeral is 3 pm Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at Bethany Bible Chapel in Cedar Falls.  Dessert reception to follow, with viewing/visitation 5-7 pm after service and reception.  The service will be livestreamed at www.bethanybiblechapel.org .  Burial at Hitesville Cemetery, rural Aplington, Iowa.  In lieu of flowers/plants, memorials may be directed to the family for future designation.  Condolences may be left at www.DahlFuneralHome.com .