Marcella Groen

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Marcella Jean Rylaarsdam was born to Marinus and Alice Rylaarsdam in Slayton, MN on March 14th, 1948. She was baptized in the Leota Reformed Church and made profession of faith in Chandler Christian Reformed Church. Marcella attended Chandler Christian School from kindergarten through eighth grade and graduated from Southwest Minnesota Christian High School in 1966.

 On January 2nd, 1968, Marcella married Harold Van Dam in the Chandler Christian Reformed Church. They made their home in Leota, MN until 1981 when they had Alan, Mark and Amy. Then they moved to an acreage southeast of Edgerton, MN, and they added Curtis to the family. While raising her children, Marcella worked at Mouw’s Hatchery, provided home health care, and held various custodial jobs. She later spent 23 years working in the kitchen at Edgebrook Care Center. She remained on the family acreage until November 2011, following Harold’s passing in April of that year, when she moved to the village of Leota. On May 24th, 2014, she married John Henry Groen in Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church and then she moved to a farm south of Chandler. 

Marcella was an active member of the Southwest Christian Circles and Ladies Aide in Leota and Chandler. She cherished simple joys - cooking and baking, playing games, sharing phone calls with those she loved, and gardening with Harold. Most of all, she treasured spending time with those who called her Grandma Sweetie Pie, attending their events and cheering them on. 

Marcella passed away on Sunday, December 28th at the age of 77 at Sanford USD Medical Center. Marcella is lovingly remembered by her 2nd husband of 11 years, John Henry Groen; her children Shela (Jeff) Lais Jeremy and Abby Van Dam, Brayden Lais; Mark (Paula) Katie, Jacob (Kaya), and Joshua Van Dam; Amy (Corwin) Evan and Daniel Runia; Curtis (Kim) Carter and Levi Van Dam; siblings and in-laws, Cornie Rylaarsdam; Jan Van Eck; Verla (Bruce) Kreun; Verlin (Kathy) Rylaarsdam; Marv Van Dam; Connie Hacker; Albert (Sandy) Van Dam; Della (Aldon) Klassen; nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends. Stepchildren, Jason (Kyle) Dylan, Kaiden and Timothy Bronson- Groen; Julie (Jim) Lincoln and Madison Sherman; Step grandchildren Clarissa (Casey) Wilson; Chelsey (Jon) Kroll; Cassandra (Dylan) Walhof; Chantel (Wesley) Vis; nine great grandchildren, and John Henry’s extended family. She was preceded in death by her 1st husband, Harold Van Dam; son Alan; infant daughter Lisa; two infant grandchildren, Emily Van Dam and Derrek Runia; her parents; one brother, Marv Rylaarsdam; in-laws Dolores Rylaarsdam, Bud Van Eck, Henry & Marie Van Dam, Donna Van Dam, Jim Van Dam; stepchildren John Henry Groen Jr. and Jolene Groen.

A visitation will be held on Friday, January 2, 2026, from 5-7pm at the Chandler Christian Reformed Church in Chandler, MN. A funeral service will be held Saturday, January 3, 2026 at the Chandler Christian Reformed Church, at 11:00am with a burial prior to the service at 10:00am at the Chandler Memorial Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial gifts will be given to Southwest MN Christian School.