Justin Driscoll
justin.driscoll@gmail.com
Thursday June 6, 2019 at
9:23 PM
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He was alway motivated by what was best for the students. A kind a wise man I knew too briefly and never had a chance to thank.
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Kimberly Holcomb
kimsgrad@hotmail.com
Tuesday October 7, 2008 at
11:26 AM
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I'm saddened to be so out of touch with the goings on in Paw Paw to have just heard of Mr. Groenland's passing. Nonetheless, I am deeply saddened for the Groenland family, as well as all of the kids at PPHS who won't be fortunate enough to know this wonderful man. He possessed the passion for young people, and for learning, lost on so many educators today. He was fair, honest, tough when necessary, and nothing short of hilarious. R.I.P Mr. Groenland, and peace to his family and friends in their loss.
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Steven Kasischke
stevekasischke@comcast.net
Monday April 14, 2008 at
1:13 PM
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Jan was my High School Boys Varsity tennis coach for two years (73-74). His leadership and sense of humor was inspirational and he made tennis fun for all of us. I am a better person for having known him.
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Nicholas and Nola (Brausch) Kuntz
nic1980@live.com
Sunday April 13, 2008 at
9:50 AM
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Mr.G was a huge influence in my life he. He will be greatly missed. I can remember him walking down the halls telling me to get to class after the bell rang. What a great guy god bless
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Victoria (Miller) Sepulveda
Wednesday April 9, 2008 at
10:35 PM
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Mrs. Groenland, Juri, Jericho, and family--my family and I are thinking and praying for you. I remember Mr. G. as being supportive to the students in Paw Paw and making a difference in the lives of those with whom he worked, taught, and mentored. May God bless Mr. G. and his family--we will never forget you.
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Mark and Cassandra Hindenach
Monday April 7, 2008 at
4:31 PM
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Jacqui, Jericho, and Juri, our thoughts and prayers go out to you. I had a chance to coach Jericho a few seasons in basketball and also worked as a coach at Camp Wakeshma and had a million laughs to go along with the great memories. His passion for sports, enthusiasm and sense of humor will be missed.
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Erica (Mount) Steinfeldt
ericasteinfeldt@yahoo.com
Monday April 7, 2008 at
12:31 PM
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I also had Mr. Groenland in 4th grade. Until this day I was still convinced he had a twin brother. He swore to us he did, Jon was his name I think? I also remembered how he would love to make me blush. I was so scared to be in his class room so the first time he called my name, my face got super red. He found this fun to do through the year. My final memory I have is that I was in his class the year of the of the Space Shuttle explosion. I recall that this really touched him because of the teacher on bored. I guess I can't say finaly memory because the trip he took me on to Chicago, summer at Camp Waukeshma and my time with him in High School. He was definately a teacher that made a great impact on me. Thank you Mr. Groenland.
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Logan Kiner (aka Cassi Heyboer)
centerpics@yahoo.com
Monday April 7, 2008 at
1:25 AM
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I met Mr. G my freshman year of high school. I was lucky enough to only get in trouble with him a few times. I know he loved his work with the students and he really got involved with the various activities in the school. I remember one year he alone with the entire varsity basketball team shaved their heads in honor of a student undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. He was a great man and he will be remembered by many.
Godspeed Mr. G
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Trista
Sunday April 6, 2008 at
11:57 AM
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Than man all of us students respected. All of my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. You were there for me through alot in high school, and I know i gave you a little attitude. Thnak yoiu for pushing me you made me the person i am today. If it wasn't for you i would not be so happy. Thank you for changing my life and it was an honor knowing the short time you were here. God has great plans for you Mr. Groenland.... we will miss you.......
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Kyle Caldwell
kdcaldwell@tds.net
Saturday April 5, 2008 at
7:37 PM
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Jan was never my "formal teacher" but I learned a lot from him. I can't remember a time that I didn't know him. Whether as a student at Cedar Street Elementary where the Big G's were the well known fourth graders in our building, or as a staff member at Camp W., I always remember Jan being bigger than life! His humour was a big as his height, and quietly and almost shyly, he would support and mentor me.
My last conversation with Jan was nearly a decade ago when I was teaching at the Van Buren Tech. Center. Jan came into the building for an in-service and we bumped into each other. He made some wise crack about me to a crowd gathered there, then immediately he said to eveyone that I was one of the best teachers there. I was speachless and touched at the same time. That was Jan-he'd always leave you speechless somehow. He will be missed.
My thoughts and prayers to Jacqui, Juri and Jericho.
Kyle
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Darcie Grubius
softy1974@yahoo.com
Saturday April 5, 2008 at
8:58 AM
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Mr. Groenland always wanted the best for all of us in his school. He supported us and helped us when he could. He was very fair with all of us. My thoughts and prayers go to his family as they deal with this loss. He is a man that will never be forgotten
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Theresa and Bill McMahan
Saturday April 5, 2008 at
8:53 AM
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Reading messages sent from other friends, it's like listening to more stores from you Jericho when you and Juri were growing up.We did not know Jan as well as these other people, but are very happy we got to spend at least a short amount of time with him and Jacqui when they were here in Florida visiting Jericho and Juri. Very few people in life have such a positive impact on so many young people. What a legacy!
This is a very difficult time for all of you right now, but remember, it's this difficult to be without Jan because it was so good to be with him. Our hearts go out to you...Love to you Jacqui, Jericho and Juri...Bill and Theresa
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Billie (Cooper) Brooks
Saturday April 5, 2008 at
12:49 AM
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Deepest sympathy to the Groenland family. A big man who left a big impact on so many people. Impossible to believe he won't still be seen in th halls of PPHS. Thank you for your many years of service to the students of Paw Paw schools. Billie, Kasey, Beau & Timmy (Cooper) Brooks
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Bonnie Cooper
briley2000@sbcglobal.net
Friday April 4, 2008 at
9:04 PM
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I had Mr. G in 4th Grade at Cedar Street Elementary. He was the most influential teacher I ever had in my entire school career. Although a under-privileged kid, I ended up graduating from the University of Colorado and now own a very successful business in Kalamazoo. He taught me confidence and how to pull off funny pranks. For example, he would teach us this song, G-R-OENL-AND spells Groenland ... and it went on ... He then would have us go to other classes and surprise attack the other 4th grade classes with the song without the other teachers having a clue what he was up to. Or, he would have us walk into another 4th grade class with no notice and we would all raise one hand in the air defiantely for no reason ... and say nothing and then leave ... I will always have great memories of Mr. G. I have carried on the confidence and prank torch. Thinking of Mr. G and his family ...
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Jenny (Lozon) Hodgemire
jenhodgmire@comcast.net
Friday April 4, 2008 at
8:43 AM
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My first memory of Mr G. came when I was in Mrs Farthing's 3rd grade class as Cedar St Elementary. All of us kids were sitting on the floor when he walked in and I remember he was wearing these green pants and a green turtle neck (which I would later in life come to know that green meant he was a State fan) and I said to my friend sitting next to me, "Hey, he looks like the jolly green giant!" and we snickered. At first he smiled, but then took us out into the hallway, and turned it into a quick lesson about not making fun of people because of how they look.
He was a man who truly cared about the students whether they were in his class or not. Now I know why he was so "big", it was to hold the size of heart he had. My condolences and prayers to the Groenland family. Mr G. will be missed by many.
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Dawn (Turner) Holsombeck
dholsombeck@aol.com
Thursday April 3, 2008 at
10:10 PM
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Mr and Mrs G gave me a wonderful opportunity and gift to work at Camp and to know their family. My prayers and sympathy to you Jacqui, Juri and Jericho.
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Pamela Bielang
Thursday April 3, 2008 at
9:31 PM
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Dearest Jacqui,
I just arrived home from the wonderful heart warming service at the high school. I did not stay to visit as I know you are most likely exhausted and overwhelmed with friends and family... however, I wanted the express my deepest condolences. Jan was wonderful with Adam, our son, and helped him get through his senior year,(which was difficult). Mark and I will always be grateful to Jan for many things, but this in particular, was so welcomed and needed by not only Adam, but also his mom and dad. :) Adam is now a junior at Ferris and will be doing his internship with the
VanBuren County Sheriff Dept. this summer. Jan would be proud that Adam is on the right side of the law. :) Jacqui, I am only a phone call away if you ever need to talk. Mark and I have been married this coming June, 33 years. We have been together 37 years. I do understand your loss. I know you have a wonderful family and sisters to give you support, but please know I am your friend and will be there for you if you need me. You are truly a remarkable person and the two of you together were a remarkable couple. My best in the coming weeks. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Love and friendship, Pam Bielang
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Angela Meisling
willow-668@hotmail.com
Thursday April 3, 2008 at
8:12 PM
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I am sorry for your loss. Even though I am a freshmen, I would have liked to have him for the rest of the years. He was a very nice and funny man. He made the children at paw paw public schools laugh. I am will always remember at lunch. How he used to sing to everybody for there birthdays. He was a great help to people. I will truely miss him. I remember the last day I saw him. The last day I saw him was when I got a detention and he never gave me a jolly rancher. I know that he will be missed by everyone. He is looking down on his wife and his children and the school. My Familys condolences too you. Paw Paw Public Schools will miss you.
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Terry and Lee Ann Blakely
blakely5@voyager.net
Thursday April 3, 2008 at
5:07 PM
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We will miss the big guy for sure. After we Lee and I graduated from high school in '75 Jan and Jacqui were really the first "adults" (used a little loosely with Jan in mind!) other than family with whom we did some socializing. That was a big deal to us then and remains so to this day. There was no doubting with Jan, as you knew what he was thinking and what he meant. He treated us like adults because that is what he considered us. A gentle giant of a guy. Jan, we are proud to have been your friends, and we are equally as proud to have Jacqui, Jericho and Juri as part of our family too. God Bless you all.
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Wendy Fetterley
wfetterley0477@mail.kvcc.edu
Thursday April 3, 2008 at
3:03 PM
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My prayers are with the whole go out to the family and friends of this kind man. I graduated in 2002 and yet a senior photo of me and Mr. Groenland still hangs on my walls it's nothing special just one of my favorite memories of school. No one will ever understand the way this man touched my life and I am sure he will be greatly missed.
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Amber Palmatier (Motter)
afpalmatier@yahoo.com
Thursday April 3, 2008 at
12:41 PM
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It's hard to even know where to begin with Mr. G. I will never forget when I was 8 or 9 and my family moved from town to "the country". As I was leaving Cedar Street to get on the bus Mr. G stopped me and asked what I was doing. "You are not a buser" he said. To this day I am not sure if he was just toying with me (as he liked to do) or was concerned that I didn't remember where I lived. Years later, in high school, I got caught "pants-ing" a fellow student. Mr. G walked around the corner right as I did it and just took my arm and we kept walking, directly to his office. Not sure if it was harder for him to give me a detention or sit there with me crying..... I recently began coaching at PPHS and getting to know "the other side" of Mr. G was amazing. I was now a fellow worker instead of a student and it was great. Mr. Groenland had such a huge impact on so many people's lives and he will be greatly missed. To his family - treasure the memories you have. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Karen (Charvat) Bouche
kbouche13@yahoo.com
Thursday April 3, 2008 at
11:21 AM
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Mrs. Groenland, Juri and Jericho, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. The life lessons that I learened, and the great memories that I have from my days as a counselor at Camp Waukeshma will stay with me forever. Mrs. Groenland, my Mom and Dad (Mike and Barb) asked me to send their condolences to you as well. May all of the wonderful memories comfort you.
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Stephanie Bean
Thursday April 3, 2008 at
10:59 AM
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Jan Groenland was a man who selflessly and joyously devoted his life to helping children and young adults find a direction in which to start on their journey through this real world after high school. I will always be grateful and honored that he was a part of my life as a young adult. As a student of Paw Paw schools and a counselor at Camp Wakeshma I was privileged to know Mr. Groenland and his family and will always carry with me irreplaceable memories. I hope that he knew how significantly he touched my life. My prayers and deepest sympathy go to Jacqui, Jericho and Juri at this time. May the love from those around you fill your hearts and lessen your pain during this difficult time.
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Jason and Heather (Dudycha) Barr
heatherrbarr@yahoo.com
Wednesday April 2, 2008 at
9:02 PM
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I am so sorry for the loss of Mr. Groenland. He was a wonderful man and will be missed greatly! He's definitely given many of us Paw Paw students lots of memories:) You all are in our thoughts and prayers. May God give you the strength and comfort to get through this!
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Mary Klute Elenbaas
Wednesday April 2, 2008 at
8:53 PM
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My condolences to Jan's family. You are in my thoughts today. I grew up with Jan in the old neighborhood of Lee School. We were childhood friends living about a block apart. Jan and I shared many fun times at achool. I lost track of him when we both went to college. He had a great sense of humor and signed these initials under his photo in my yearbook "H.I.A.M.A.F.O.M." HIAMAFOM stood for "here I am make a fuss over me". Jan was a kind, funny and true friend. I know he will be missed.
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Angie Schlosser-Bacon and Damon Bouwkamp
Wednesday April 2, 2008 at
8:52 PM
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Jacqui-
We are sorry to hear of your loss but know that you and your husband's family have years of memories to cherish. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
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David Pryor
dcpryor40@gmail.com
Wednesday April 2, 2008 at
8:11 PM
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Dear Family: We are sorry for your loss. My brothers (Jim, Ben, and Jon) worked for Jan for many years at Camp Wakeshma and have many fond memories of him and his family. Please accept our deepest condolences.
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Joe & Carol Marinich
marinich@up.net
Wednesday April 2, 2008 at
7:07 PM
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Our thoughts & prayers go out to the Groenland Family. Our son Brad is a teacher at Paw Paw High School. On our first visit to Paw Paw and the school he was the first person Brad wanted us to meet. Actually Brad introduced us to him at a football game and the first thing he said to us was "where are my Hilltop rolls", I thought that was so funny. Brad told us what a great person he was. Even tho Brad has only been there for 3 years we heard about many of the conversations that he had with Jan. I know Brad will definitely miss his "SPARTAN" talks.
Again our thoughts are with your family during this very difficult time.
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Susan Ambs
sassysoose@yahoo.com
Wednesday April 2, 2008 at
6:35 PM
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My condolences and prayers to the family. I never had Mr. G as a teacher, but I remember his presence well at Cedar St. Elementary. I also remember him telling us a scary story at 5th grade camp,and it was such a surprise scare I almost crapped my pants!!! Thanks to a guy whose heart was the biggest ever.
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Steve Reed
Wednesday April 2, 2008 at
5:26 PM
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Very sorry and surprised to hear about Jan's passing. I enjoyed getting to know him from the Camp Wakeshma days. He definitely has passed on memories and life lessons to many kids. It is impossible to know just how many lives are better because of Jan's guidance. I will keep your family in my prayers and wish God's blessings on you!
With heartfelt condolence,
Steve Reed
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Erik & Angela Hindenach
erik.hindenach@ncmc.com
Wednesday April 2, 2008 at
5:03 PM
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Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jacqui, Juri, Jericho and the rest of the family. Paw Paw lost a great man who touched many, many lives. We'll never forget his incredible sense of humor and his passion for all Paw Paw students, Paw Paw Redskin sports teams, and more importantly his MSU Spartans.
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keith caldwell
Wednesday April 2, 2008 at
3:36 PM
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He was a great teacher and inspiration to us all. I remember playing basketball with him and always beating us at horse. Hed pick one shot and just keep hitting a different shot per game and wearing us out. Hed laugh at us until He couldnt take it anymore. He do the same in class if you couldnt pick up one of his lessons he run it like a game until youd get it. Back to the fundamentals, if you could do that the rest will be a piece of cake. Gotta love the big guy.
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Chez Marsh
Wednesday April 2, 2008 at
3:19 PM
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Mr. Groenland was an amazing and always entertaining man. He will truly be missed by everyone whose lives he has touched (and there are many!).
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Kansas NROTC Unit, Lawrence Kansas
Wednesday April 2, 2008 at
2:56 PM
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Juri, Sherry and the rest of the Groenland family....you are in our hearts and prayers. Please note that your are exceptional people, full of love, sincerity, and humor. From the condolence messages left below, we can only imagine that you garnered these wonderful traits from your father. He must have been a very special person. Our thoughts are with you.
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Tom Motter
thomas.motter@wslife.com
Wednesday April 2, 2008 at
2:03 PM
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I got to know Jan while he was teaching at Black River when I was doing my "practicum" teaching for my teaching degree. This was in 1977. Then, over the years, Jan taught ALL my children at one time or another. We've remained friends so evidently they weren't too bad! Recently at a basketball game I asked Jan when he was going to retire. He gave me the number in days, hours, and minutes, then smiled up at me and said "but I'm not counting". How sad that this man was not given the time to enjoy retirement with his wife and family. I am so sorry for your loss. Mr "G" has touched or been a part of so many people's lives and leaves a great legacy for all. I shall always have fond memories.
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Drew Lumm
Wednesday April 2, 2008 at
1:16 PM
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I join with countless others whose lives have been uniquely and profoundly influenced by Jan's life and work. His passion for education, athletics and the community was evident in his unique ability to make learning and life a little more fun for the many generations of students who were fortunate to have known him. But it wasn't just his sense of humor that I remember. He remains to this day the person who first taught me that "life isn't always fair." It was a hard lesson for a fourth grader, but one that left a lasting impression. It's a lesson that continues to play out in my life, and in his passing. Please accept my heart-felt condolences for a great man who will be as remembered as he is missed.
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Dawn Brown (Stanley)
dbrown4616@yahoo.com
Wednesday April 2, 2008 at
12:46 PM
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My sympathys to the Groenland family. I had Mr. Groenland as a 4th grade teacher and a Assist Principal when I was in high school. I'll never forget the plastic chips he handed out during the school year for a bonus for doing well. He was a wonderful man and always wanted the best for the students as well as his family. It saddens me that my daughter will not get to know him as I did when she goes to high school next year. My prayers are with your family. We will miss Mr. G!!
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Butch and Deanna
Wednesday April 2, 2008 at
11:48 AM
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Our school, our community, everyone who has known and has been helped by this man feels this loss. We are all better for having known him. People like Jan only come by once in a lifetime.
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Christina Griffin
Wednesday April 2, 2008 at
11:05 AM
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I remember meeting Jan in 1973 when I accepted the position of elementary school librarian in the Paw Paw Schools. It was impossible to overlook his impressive height and genial personality. It was clear how much his students loved him.
My sincere condolences to the Groenland family.
Christina Griffin
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Candy Rendel Kniss
Wednesday April 2, 2008 at
10:58 AM
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I had Mr. Groeland in fourth grade and was one of the few who got to go to Chicago with him. I ended up wearing a long dress as it was a Sunday and I got the time to leave mixed up and my mom said I had to dress for Church just in case I missed him. I still remember that trip. Your family is in my prayers.
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Pat (Ellis) Howe
Wednesday April 2, 2008 at
9:39 AM
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Jacqui,
I am so sorry to hear of Jan's passing. You are in my prayers.
Due to the distance, I can not attend the funeral today. But know I am thinking of you.
With concern
Pat Howe
P.O. Box 153
Greenville, CA 95947
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Sheri (Goens) Wilson
swfrog@hotmail.com
Wednesday April 2, 2008 at
8:21 AM
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Mr. Groenland was definately one of the most influencial teachers for me. My fourth grade memories at Cedar Street Elementary always begin with the enormous Mr. Groenland leading the way! He was a real life giant to me, and in turn, left a giant impact on my life! I was excited and happy to have him also in my High School experience as the Assistant Principal. It was like he was always somewhere looking over my shoulder. He will be tremendously missed by me and, I am sure, by many. My prayers go out to his family.
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Diana DeGraaf
diana@degraafxonline.com
Wednesday April 2, 2008 at
5:46 AM
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What a shock when I opened the paper this morning. Sorry to have lost touch with things in Paw Paw. We send along our heartfelt sympathy to Jacqui, Juri and Jericho. Jan meant the world to us while we were involved so deeply in Paw Paw athletics. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Diana & Everett
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Matt Campbell
Wednesday April 2, 2008 at
5:19 AM
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Mr. G,
Even though you were a Spartan through and through, you were a great guy and a great educator of young people. You were tough but fair, and influenced thousands of kids lives. You will be missed.
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Robin (Bonarski) Bedecs
Tuesday April 1, 2008 at
11:03 PM
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Dear Aunt Jacqui, Juri, Jericho and Heidi,
Please allow me to pay my deepest condolences to all of you. I hope that knowing Uncle Jan will be missed by the thousands of people he has touched over the years will, in some way, help all of you find peace in this time of passing.
Lovingly,
Robin (Bonarski) Bedecs
P.S. Just for you Uncle Jan - "Go Green...Go White...Go Spartans!"
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stacie wood
popkorn2573@yahoo.com
Tuesday April 1, 2008 at
10:42 PM
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Jan was a great assistant principal. i enjoyed all of the fond memories of him walking up and down the halls telling us to get to class. he really made an impression on me in the short times that i got to talk to him in person. it was always a big thing to play a joke on him for senior prank day when i was in school, put U of M stuff in his office. may he rest in peace, i will truly miss him.
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Shelly Blacksten Piccolo
Tuesday April 1, 2008 at
10:28 PM
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Wow! Mr. Groenland was my 4th grade teacher. The year was 77-78. He taught all the Blacksten girls and we all have fond memories. He was an awesome teacher & I remember his poker chip system. He rewarded his students with chips and at the end of the year whoever had the most earned something special. My friends Anita (Bubba Capone) & Michele Dokey were also in my class. All of us are sorry for your loss. He still lives on with his students and their memories. Shelly
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Tuesday April 1, 2008 at
9:40 PM
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Dear Family: I'm sadden to learn of Jan's death. My association was when he was camp director. I appreciated his dedication to the campers, his willingness to go the extra mile and he did what he said he would do. For these attributes and many more, we have lost a grand person. Larry Campbell, Camp Wakeshma Board member
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David (Mandy) Walker
Tuesday April 1, 2008 at
8:50 PM
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Jacqui, Juri and Jericho from Mandy and I our thoughts and prayers are with you. Jan and I became very good friends and shared many hours of conversation together about so many things but especially you three. I can't write how many good times Jan and I shared together; when we were working together I had to take time off work (at the school)injured, he called me at home everyday to see how I was doing and when I was coming back to work. Though a employee with the Sheriff's Office but contracted to Paw Paw Schools Jan always treated me like one of the staff and always valued my input. I will miss that big guy. Even after leaving the school system Jan and I still were very close and he always paid me compliments as well as always gaving me big hugs when seeing each other. I still also recall dropping of notices to students at the school and everyone always asking is it in "green" cause if it were that was Mr. G's calling card. Jan is someone I looked up to and will miss dearly, what a great person!
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Sonny Richmond
Tuesday April 1, 2008 at
8:28 PM
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What a shock..to me Mr. Groenland was as big as life. I first knew him as my forth grade teacher in 1972. He was incredible. Everyone wanted to be in his class because he made learning fun. As I got older I had the Groenland family on my Kalamazoo Gazette paper route. He still remembered me. He would follow my cross country endeavor as I went into high school. He always said that I could do better. He was such a huge inspiration. He also ran the intramural basketball program at the old high school in the 1980's. He still remembered me and would comment on my good or bad play. He was such a character. I found it uplifting that he would remember me from 1972. The last time I saw him was at a Paw Paw Redskin football game some years back and he STILL remembered me... after about 30 years. I shook hands with him and he joked with me like the old days. What a guy. I am very saddened that he is gone and my thoughts and prayers go to his family. He will always be remembered in my thoughts. He touched my life greatly. He will obviously be missed by all. God bless you Mr.Groenland.
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Deb & Bob Martin
Tuesday April 1, 2008 at
7:13 PM
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We hope your wonderful memories of Mr G will help you through this difficult time. Our paths crossed many times at Camp Wakeshma when dropping off or picking up one of our campers. Jan would always make us feel like a friend even if it was at a Paw Paw basketball game and our son was on the rival Mattawan team! Our thoughts are with you.
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Michelle Davis
trailmix_26@hotmail.com
Tuesday April 1, 2008 at
7:11 PM
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My mom wrote to me today to tell me that Mr. Groenland had finally passed on. He was my fourth grade teacher, then my principal in high school. I was surprised at how much his passing touched me.
You see, he wasnt just a teacher to me. Not just any ordinary principal. He went out of his way to make sure his kids were alright. He had unorthidox ways of going about this, but I think thats why I liked him so much. There were plenty students who didnt. He really did care about us. I learned this lesson early on in my fourth year of school, with him as my teacher.
One day, as we returned from the lunchroom and back into Mr. Groenlands classroom, we all sat down to the announcement that he had bought fries for the whole class. He proceeded to pass out the fries to everyone in the room... everyone but me. I thought maybe it was an oversight, a mistake, so I raised my hand. He had a masked amused look on his face and asked what I needed. When I told him I hadnt received my fries, he simply said, "Hmm... well, I didnt get you any fries." I was shocked, so I simply said nothing. He said, "Lifes not fair, Michelle." He didnt say anything else, and we continued on in our day. I tried to concentrate, but couldnt help being extremely angry at his nerve. At this point, I hadnt figured out yet during this school year if I liked him or not - it was constantly changing for me. After that, I decided I definately did NOT like him, and he was cruel, laughing at me with all the other kids as I sat there with no fries. I had suspected he didnt like me, I was always in trouble, and this only solidified the fact. After all, no one else had a cubicle. He had built me a wooden 3 sided cubicle, because I talked too much and even after many warnings and detentions, I still was talking. So he removed the temptation by building me this cubicle that I couldnt see anyone else around.
So, the next day, before we go to lunch, he tells the class that he has an announcement. He asked if everyone remembered the fries the previous day and the fact that I didnt get any. Everyone was quite loud in their laughing and teasing me as they commented on my misfortune. Then, he said, "Today Michelle will be having lunch with me and will get her choice from McDonalds". When howls went up in protest, he simply raised his hand and said quietly with a smirk on his face, "Lifes not fair". I remember that being the best Big Mac meal Id ever had as we enjoyed a lunch hour together in his room, just chatting.
He also taught us that there were different avenues to excelling. In his class, we would get "dollars" for good things we did. We would then write our names on the dollars and put them in this huge garbage bag for a drawing at the end of the year for a whole bunch of cool prizes - one being a trip for 2 of us students to Chicago. I was constantly in detention, and he was constantly shaking his head at me as I constantly annoyed him. I thought there was absolutely no chance I would ever win, as I saw him passing out dollars left and right DAILY to all the goodie-two-shoes and the ones who were winning all the other class contests. But the one thing I did get dollars for was my consideration for my classmates. Hed catch me saying and doing things that most of the other kids wouldnt go out of their way to do, and instead of just giving me one dollar, Id get a handful. I also got dollars for every "A" on a test, which was all the time for me. Once he built that cubilce, I was an awesome student! LOL :) I slowly began to understand that although I saw the other kids getting dollars often, they were only getting them one at a time. It was then that I understood there was more than one way to get anything in life done. I decided to start excelling in the things I already excelled in, and I got my dollars a whole lot less frequently, but I definately had more, cuz at the end of the school year, my name was pulled and I went to Chicago with him.
The next lesson I learned from him, was that just because I was constantly in trouble, didnt mean I was a bad kid. Because of certain things I was dealing with in my personal life during high school, I began to act out at school. I would constantly skip, mouth back to teachers and get into fights. I was hurting inside and crying out for anyone to care enough to notice. He noticed, when I felt like everyone else just hated me worse for it. When I got sent to his office, hed ask my side of the story. Often times, it WAS my fault and I would tell him exactly what Id done, and why. It was then that he would ask me what I gained from my acting out, and if it was worth it. I would sit there and think about it as I munched on green jelly beans. He always had jelly beans on his desk, and I loved the spearmint green ones. He knew this, and would slide the candy jar over to me as we discussed my bad behavior. I never told him the horrible things I was dealing with personally that made me want to lash out, but I think that he knew there was more to it than me just feeling mouthy. He would always help me see that my quick outbursts did nothing to change whatever I was mad about and we would together come up with a better way of dealing with it next time. He was usually just quiet, as I rambled on and on, eventually coming to the conclusion that Id been wrong. Anyone that knew Mr. Groenland, knew about his "twinkle" in his eye. Even when he was completely down to business in his voice and demeanor, his eyes would twinkle and youd know that deep inside he was amused by you, and was trying not to laugh.
The last lesson he taught me was in high school, when he was my principal. A friend of mine was killed over the weekend. It was a horrific accident our youth group witnessed, as we car pooled back from an outing together. There were about 8 of us there at Paw Paw High who were either at the accident, or knew those involved, and we were all really having a rough morning the Monday back after that weekend. I remember it was especially hard, because Matt, the one whod died, didnt go to our school, so we were constantly having to explain to teachers and other students our tears, our emotions and our quietness. About halfway through our morning, they pulled all of us from our youth group out of class and into a side room used for counseling and told us that they were there for us, if we needed to talk, or if we just needed to take a break from classes that day, we could come and talk to them. We all nodded as we stared at the floor, but then we all went back to class. I tried to keep it together, but the subject matter we were covering in Psychology wasnt one condusive to someone going through what my heart and mind was that day, so I ran out of the room before anyone could see my tears errupt. I rounded the corner out of the classroom door right into Mr. Groenland. He never told me what he HAD been going to do, only put his arm around me and said, "I had a feeling Id see you." He then walked with me, and let me talk about Matt, the accident and everything else that came spewing out of my mouth that day. He never said anything, just walked up and down the hallways with me (we had no destination), with his arm around my shoulders, and simply listened. He knew exactly what I needed that day, and that was just a listening ear and for someone to understand that I couldnt go back to life like normal, because life would never be normal again for me. Something horrible had happened, and I didnt need to pretend everything was fine. I needed someone right at that moment to listen, and he knew he was all I had.
These are the reasons that tonight I am sad. I am especially sad that I didnt get to tell him. I had just decided to start tracking down the most influential people in my life and to write them notes letting them know just how much they affected my life. His was one of the first letters I was going to write...
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Michele Jepkema
Tuesday April 1, 2008 at
5:20 PM
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My condolences to the Groenland family. I had Mr. Groenland as a fourth grade teacher during the 1976-77 school year. He was the BEST! My daughter is now in 4th grade and I am always telling her stories about Mr. Groenland and how he taught math using poker chips as money to save in bank accounts or to buy stuff. I also remember his Irish Wolfhound "Wolfie" that was taller that he was. He was an amazing teacher.
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Craig Lemonds
cdlem@aol.com
Tuesday April 1, 2008 at
4:35 PM
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The Almighty certainly has a special place for Jan. Anyone with the heart and soul to help so many of our children move forward in this world must have a special place in the life to come. Blessed be his memory - he touched so many lives his influence will never leave us.
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Tuesday April 1, 2008 at
4:25 PM
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Leonard & Alice Yonkman, Amanda and Joel Yonkman
Tuesday April 1, 2008 at
4:24 PM
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To the Groenland family, Our deepest condolences in your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God comfort your hearts
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shawna gates
rhiane530@hotmail.com
Tuesday April 1, 2008 at
3:16 PM
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I had Mr. Groenland for a forth grade teacher as well as assistant principal when i was in high school, he was the BEST. I remember he would bring his great danes to school the last day when he taught forth grade and i had pink eye and was absent so he waited for me after school so my mom could bring me up to see them, he was always hard on us, but in a good natured way and he had a GREAT sense of humor, he was an influence on so many students lives. He will be greatly missed. WE LOVE YOU MR. G.
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Tuesday April 1, 2008 at
2:30 PM
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Shannon Brown-Dudycha
Tuesday April 1, 2008 at
1:32 PM
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So sorry to hear of your loss. "Mr.Groeland" had a very positive influence on a lot of us and will be greatly missed throughout Paw Paw. Know our thoughts and prayers are with you.
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tim johnson
Tuesday April 1, 2008 at
1:32 PM
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MR.groenland was a good guy he taught me alot i am so sorry to hear about his passing
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Mike Helms & Sue Bensinger
mhelms@witty.com
Tuesday April 1, 2008 at
12:53 PM
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Sue & I knew and loved Jan's humor and dedication to his family, his work and his community. He always loved to pass on a joke or the latest news about Jacqui, Yuri and Jericho, or to hail or lament the latest actions of his beloved MSU Spartans. We will remember our times together socializing, as well. Love, Mike & Sue
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Ann and Terry
tlab@voyager.net
Tuesday April 1, 2008 at
10:09 AM
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We love you all. Lots of funny and touching memories remain for us. AB and TL (Aunt Ann and Uncle Terry
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Age:63
