Gerhard John te Grotenhuis July 23, 1938 - March 27, 2025

After a long and full life, the LORD took home John te Grotenhuis, age 86 of Spencerville on Thursday March 27, 2025. Dear husband of Tine (nee Reitsma), loving Dad of Abraham (late Susan), Henry (Francisca), Christine Ongaro (Dean), the late Nancy-Jane and Ruth-Ann Jones (Samuel). Cherished Grandpa/Opa of Brandon (Trish), the late Curtis, Jason (Teagan), Josh (Hannah); Katrina (Rowan) and Heidi; Hannah, Lucas, Rebekah and Nathan Jones; Amy, Grayson, Sylvia and Holly Ongaro. Great Grandpa of Elaina and Olivia. Predeceased by his parents Abraham and Hendrika, his brother Jan and sister Diane Hamilton (late Leon). Fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews.

John immigrated from the Netherlands in 1948. He was a life long farmer and a founding member and organist of Kemptville Christian Reformed Church.

A graveside service will be held in the spring at the Union Cemetery, Spencerville.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of John may be made to Kemptville CRC or the Kemptville District Hospital. Online condolences may be shared at www.byersfuneralhomeinc.ca.

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A graveside service will be held in the spring at the Union Cemetery, Spencerville.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of John may be made to Kemptville CRC or the Kemptville District Hospital. Online condolences may be shared at www.byersfuneralhomeinc.ca.

Condolences(5)

  1. REPLY
    Jenny and Peter says
    March 31, 2025 at 8:45 pm

    My sincere condolences to you. I pray that God will give you all strength and peace at this difficult time of loss. We are so grateful for the promise of Eternal Life.

  2. REPLY
    Christine says
    April 1, 2025 at 9:06 am

    A tribute to my Dad, John TeGrotenhuis, aged 86 years old.

    John was born in 1938 in the Netherlands. His first childhood memories were of World War 2, when Nazi soldiers surrounded his family’s home, and invaded the house looking for hidden Dutch soldiers. John’s father was taken at gunpoint to a concentration camp. After the escape of his father and the end of the war, his family moved to Canada in search of a new beginning. They briefly lived near Belleville before settling on the farm in Spencerville. John attended the local one room schoolhouse, and remembered trips to school in winter by horse and sleigh.

    Eventually John took over the family farm, and worked hard to run a successful egg business while also raising beef cows, growing crops, and developing the farm into a large property. At one point, he owned and managed 800 acres of land. He married Tine, and together they had five children. John was a very hard worker, and was dedicated to the farm work and providing for his family. He loved carpentry, and built numerous items of furniture with exceptional quality. He was also extremely skilled in construction, and built a house for his father, and a house for his son, as well as renovating neighbours homes, and many outbuildings on the farm.

    John was a life long member of Kemptville Christian Reformed Church since the original church meeting in 1955. He was the first organist in the church, which was a role that he filled for almost 50 years.

    John was content with his life on the farm. He worked hard and took pleasure in the fruit of his labour. God prospered his work and blessed him with much.

    Ecclesiastes 5:18-19 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.

  3. REPLY
    George and Patricia Grant says
    April 2, 2025 at 1:53 pm

    Tine and family

    Thinking of you, and recalling all the times when I went to your farm to buy eggs– it was always such a pleasant visit.
    May your husband, father, grandad rest in peace , now that he is finally in his eternal home

  4. REPLY
    Barb & Glenn Mackey says
    April 4, 2025 at 8:28 am

    Our sincere condolences to neighbours Abe, Katrina & Heidi as well as the rest of the family.

  5. REPLY
    Dean Ongaro says
    April 10, 2025 at 9:00 am

    Dear Tine, Te Grotenhuis and Jones Families;
    I am so sorry for the passing of your Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather. Although I only knew John for a much too short period of time, I do know what a good and faithful man of God he was, and for so many years, by the joy, love and kindness that he has left behind in all of you. In the short time I was given to know John I quickly learned he always put God and Family first which is such a beautiful legacy.

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