Age 97
Date of Death April 7, 2012
Place of Death Portage, Michigan
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Service Details
In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Ethel’s Life will be held on Sunday, April 22, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm, at the Beacon Club, 5830 Portage Road.
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Obituary Notice
Age 97, of Kalamazoo, passed away Saturday, April 7, 2012, at her home. Her family was at her side. Ethel was born January 2, 1915, in Chicago, IL, to Edwin & Caroline (Klenk) Foster. The family moved to Benton Harbor in 1922, where they purchased and ran a large fruit farm. Ethel graduated from Benton Harbor High School and on February 15, 1941, married Earl DeGroot, who preceded her in death. Ethel loved the spotlight beginning with National Geographic photographing her at her family’s farm when she was 15. From there she was named the Benton Township beauty queen for Benton Harbor’s annual blossom parade in 1933. As an adult, she sported glamorous fashions from well known local stores, including Jane Nell’s, Steketee’s and Jacobson’s, on behalf of her favorite local charities and organizations. Her work career began later in life when she took over the family office equipment business in the 1960’s. In just six short years, she turned DeGroot Office Machines into the #1 retail outlet of Smith Corona and Hermes typewriters for the entire state of Michigan. She continued as a partner to son, Tom, in the business, until it was sold in 1995. Ethel was generous with her time in the community, including being president of Borgess Service League, as well as being a member of the Eastern Star, the Goodwill Auxiliary, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra League, Kalamazoo Art League, the Republican Party of Kalamazoo County, Quota International of Kalamazoo, and at both St. Luke’s and Cathedral Episcopal Churches. Ethel was a longtime member of the Kalamazoo Country Club and was the 9 Hole Golf Champion in the late 1950’s. She was also a member of one of the KCC’s championship bowling teams. Ethel loved to travel outside the country with family and friends. She also loved her annual trips to Florida, which began in 1951 to the family home in Ft. Lauderdale. In later years, Marco Island became her favorite destination. Ethel had a full life, facing each new challenge with determination and class. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister, Marian Danielson, and brother, Edwin Foster, Jr. She is survived by her son, Tom and Lana Ashley of Kalamazoo; nieces Carol (Mike) Emery of Coloma, and Judy (David) Martens of South Haven; and nephews John Rutz of Watervliet and Chip (Marcia) Foster of Centerville, IN.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the Kalamazoo YWCA Domestic Assault Program, c/o the funeral home.
Joldersma & Klein
917 S. Burdick St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
269-343-2628
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Condolence Messages(3)
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