GROTEWOHL - Laurence Lewis Grotewohl (Larry) age 68 passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2019. He was preceded in death by his father, Harrison J.Grotewohl; mother, Betty Jane Dixon; stepfather, George Dixon; brother, George Grotewohl; father-in-law, Daniel J. Van Haften; sister-in-law, Debbie Wentworth. Laurence is survived by his children, Alexander Grotewohl, Heidi (Daniel Mutuku) Grotewohl, Andrew Grotewohl; their mother, Diane Grotewohl; brother, David Grotewohl; sister, Loretta Greco; mother-in-law, Arlene Van Haften; brother and sisters-in-law, Daniel D. Van Haften, Denise “God Mother” (Don) LaCroix, Dawn (Joe) Campbell, Darlene (Ron) Brown. Larry was the most humble, chatty, positive, goofy, loving, stylish, sweet guy. He loved his kids more than life. He would do anything for us, including driving all over town to visit a different park every Saturday morning. We had countless nights of telling stories about his life and family while searching through his memory boxes. He had nicknames for each of us and enjoyed watching all kinds of TV series with us. Basically whatever we liked he liked. He always made everyone laugh and feel special. Regardless of the situation he always had a smile or raised his eyebrows indicating he knew it was cool. He loved VW’s of all kinds, people watching, making trinkets, and whittling sticks. He would make up fun words like Jomo and Vagala and added them to urban dictionary. He was intricate and thorough, had an amazing signature he was proud of. He was an artist that loved going to art shows and festivals. He always had perfect manicured nails and never wore socks. He always said ‘“Life is Good” and nothing got him down. “Half a loaf is better than no loaf,” he would say. He loved all our animals including several Sweeties, Twitch, Geeo and Chitty. He met so many people walking Twitch, everyone loved seeing him around. He was infamous for spending half the time at the grocery store chatting with other people. He was a sucker for ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird’, his favorite movie. All you had to say was “Boo Radley” and he would start laughing and crying. We spent some amazing times together on Drummond Island that will never be forgotten. He was proud of his Kidney Transplant aka Kindey, and all the health issues he overcame. But he went home to be with God and his body was fully restored. We know he is happy and healthy watching over us and will continue to live on in our hearts forever. Love you, Good Dreams, Goodnight, Have a nice night, See you in Heaven. A memorial mass will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, March 19 at Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 6390 Belmont Avenue NE, Belmont. The family will greet relatives and friends 5:00 to 7:00 PM Monday the 18 th at Stegenga Funeral Chapel, 1601 Post Drive NE, Belmont and one hour prior to mass at the church on Tuesday. To share a photo, memory and sign the family’s online guestbook please visit www.stegengafuneralchapel.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Laurence Lewis Grotewohl please visit our Sympathy Store.
Visitation
MAR 18. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (EDT)
Stegenga Funeral Chapel - Belmont
1601 Post Dr. NE
Belmont, MI, 49306
[email protected]
https://www.stegengafuneralchapel.com
Visitation
MAR 19. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (EDT)
Assumption Catholic Church
6369 Belmont NE
Belmont, MI, 49306
Memorial Mass
MAR 19. 11:00 AM (EDT)
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
6390 Belmont Ave.
Belmont, MI, 49306
Leave Your Tribute Message
So sweet, thank you. Andrew's mom~Diane
- Diane Grotewohl
Awe, Kristi. That's so cool! I kinda liked my nickname! ü•∞
- Diane Grotewohl
He did have SO many Mackinaw stories! High school stories too! I will take a picture or two of the art I have. I miss him.
- Diane Grotewohl
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Grotewohl family, from Bill and Diana Knight, a co-worker of Andrew.
- Bill &Diana Knight
While I was not always a fan of his nicknames (yep, hated mine!), he had a heart of gold. When we were teenagers, Larry offered to take Loretta and me to see Leonard Nimoy in a play inTraverse City. What an awesome brother to do something like that for his little sister amd her friend. To say he made our year is an understatement.
- Kristi Nelson
Larry and I were in the same grade at Gustafson Elementary School, all the way through graduation from Orchard View High School. He was really bright and really quick, usually a little wound up and sort of sarcastic, but always an absolutely nice guy and always upbeat. He could kind of see through things and people and deep into them, see the truth about things. And he always told the truth, whether you wanted to hear it or not. He started working summers on Mackinaw Island while we were still in junior high school, 6th/7th/8th grade, I think, and I always wondered how he could get away with that so young, and always wondered how someone so young could be brave enough to live and work away from home all summer. But I knew it was true, because he'd come home from Mackinaw Island with crazy stories about living there in the summer, and I knew you couldn't make up stuff like that. Most of all he was an artist, that's all he ever wanted to do and be, and he was dedicated to the discipline and vulnerability of plumbing your own heart to make something brand new. One summer he talked Tim Lehmann and me into sharing a both with him at an art fair, in Grand Haven I think it was. None of us thought to bring an actual booth or even a tarp, so when it rained we (and our art) got soaked - yet Larry was still dancing around in the rain having a pretty good time, because if you're gonna be an artist you gotta make art and try to sell it. He gave me one of his pieces, a really nice sketch of a high school or college diploma printed on a roll of toilet paper. For a long time I hung it in my office at the Juvenile Court, till one of the judges told me it was probably not an appropriate message for a probation officer to convey… I love all those photos of Larry smiling. If his kids have any photos of Larry's art they could post or maybe direct me to, I'd sure appreciate it. I'm sorry he's gone - but it sure sounds like he was loved, and the way he smiled in those photos it sure looks like he felt really loved. Jim Foster
- Jim Foster
Medium Dish Garden was purchased for the family of Laurence Lewis Grotewohl.
- Medium Dish Garden
My condolences to Larry's family. I graduated from Orchard View with Larry in 1969, and remember him as a funny guy who often had a smile on his face. We had a number of classes together over the years and he was always one of the good guys in our class. He has left too soon, rest in peace Larry. Rick Gundy - OVHS Class of 69
- Rick Gundy
Spectrum Health Interface Team purchased the Arrive in Style for the family of Laurence Lewis Grotewohl.
- Spectrum Health Interface Team
We were both lucky to know Larry and have the great friendships with you and Janet. ❤️
- Diane Grotewohl
On behalf of the Orchard View class of 1969, we will miss you Larry. We will always remember your sense of humor and quick wit. Your classmate, Linda Poort Thaler
- Linda Poort Thaler
Full Of Love Bouquet was purchased for the family of Laurence Lewis Grotewohl.
- Full Of Love Bouquet
Grade School , Happy Trails Old Friend 😊 Gustafson !
- Gerald Adams
My heart goes out to all of Larry's family. I was lucky enough to have been a small part of Larry's world. It was in 1976 or so, while we pretended to be great artists, undiscovered and unappreciated. His humor never failed me, and we had numerous escapades that I dare not divulge here. And then I had the privilege to witness the great love develop between Larry and Diane. Although our lives diverged somewhat after we both married, whenever we connected, the bond was still strong. Goodnight Sweet Prince, and rest in peace. And thank you for being my friend.
- Mike Bryant
Order flowers for Laurence's service.
Seasonal Potted Plant (mum, poinsettia, cyclamen, etc.)
Thinking of You Basket
Gerbera Greetings
Natures Glory
Sincere Sympathy Garden
Blooming Duo
Loving Embrace
Classic Sympathy
Stargazer Garden
Designer’s Choice Grand Vase Arrangement
Tender Touch
White Wonder
Bells of Beauty
Stargazer Easel Spray
Beautiful Memories
Remembrance Easel Spray
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Colorful Memories Wreath
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