DE PERE, WI — Fr. Kenneth Jerome Jude De Groot, O. Praem., 91, a priest of St. Norbert Abbey, died peacefully on Thursday, May 21 — the eve of his birthday — at the abbey.
Fr. De Groot was born on May 22, 1935, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, to Raymond and Josephine (Beemster) De Groot and baptized “Jerome Jude.” He was the oldest of seven boys. The family’s home parish is Holy Cross Parish in Bay Settlement. He attended Annunciation Grade School and Central Catholic High School, graduating in 1953 as salutatorian of the class.
Following high school, he entered St. Norbert Abbey on August 28, 1953. He was inspired by his father’s aspirations, the example of his mother and of several religious aunts and uncles, and his Norbertine high school teachers. He professed solemn vows in 1958 and was ordained to the priesthood 65 years ago, on May 23, 1961.
He graduated as valedictorian of his class from St. Norbert College with a B.A. in philosophy. He also received an M.S. degree in mathematics education from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and an M.S. degree in religious education from Fordham University in New York.
Fr. De Groot’s ministry began as a teacher at Abbot Pennings High School (1959-78). Besides teaching math and religion, he also was very involved in the athletics program, serving on the state board for private high school athletics. He was also athletic director and coach for the freshman football and basketball teams.
In 1978, he was named pastor of St. Louis Parish in Dyckesville. In 1980, he became pastor of St. Willebrord Parish in Green Bay, where he ministered to a diversity of people for the next 31 years. He developed many lay ministries and a diverse staff to serve the various needs of his parishioners.
In 1991, he began the first parish ministry for Spanish-speaking Catholics in the Diocese of Green Bay. He worked closely with Fr. Harvey Toonen, O. Praem., the Diocese of Green Bay, and parishioners to welcome the then-small community of Spanish-speaking Catholics to celebrate Mass weekly at St. Willebrord Parish. Knowing that the only way to pastorally care for the new parishioners was by knowing their language and culture, Fr. De Groot went to Mexico three times to be immersed in culture and language studies. The one weekend Mass soon evolved into four Spanish Masses every weekend.
After retiring in 2011, Fr. De Groot co-founded Casa ALBA Melanie Community Resource Center of Green Bay with Sr. Melanie Maczka and several Latino leaders to develop ways to meet the varied needs of the growing population, and to nurture the talents and contributions of Latinos in northeast Wisconsin. After 10 years of working to establish the center, as well as encouraging the leadership of the staff, he retired from Casa Alba in 2022. He continued for several years to celebrate Masses in Spanish at St. Anne Parish in Coleman and SS. Peter & Paul Parish in Institute.
In 2024, Fr. De Groot, along with Sr. Melanie, was awarded an honorary doctorate from St. Norbert College for the many years of service and ministry among the Hispanic population in this area. Fr. De Groot was very proud of this honor bestowed upon him by the college.
Fr. De Groot is survived by the Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey; his brothers and sisters-in-law: Tom (Eleanor), Bill (Trudy), Fred (Elaine), Mike (Judy), as well as sister-in-law, Della; many nieces and nephews; cousins; and his dear friend and co-worker in the vineyard, Sr. Melanie Maczka, HMIED.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers and sister-in-law: Dan (Darlene) and John. The Reception of the Body and visitation will take place at 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, at St. Willebrord Church, 209 S. Adams Street, Green Bay. A Memorial Mass will follow at 7 p.m. with Fr. Andy Cribben, O. Praem., presiding and serving as homilist.
Reception of the Body and “Morning Prayer for Those Who Have Died” will take place at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, May 29, at St. Norbert Abbey, with visitation following in the Chapter Room until 10:15 a.m.
The funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 a.m., with Abbot Bradley Vanden Branden, O. Praem., presiding, and Deacon Luis Sanchez serving as homilist.
Burial will be in St. Norbert Abbey Cemetery following the Mass.
The Norbertine Community would like to thank the nurses at St. Norbert Abbey, the staff of Unity Hospice, Sr. Melanie and all those who cared for Fr. De Groot. Ryan Funeral Home, De Pere, is assisting the Norbertine Community.