Henrietta Gruppen

Henrietta grew up working the farm with her family (map of Gruppen farm).

After marriage, the couple lived in the brick house with his parents Gerrit and Gertrude, and his grandmother Mary and Allie lived in the white house. World War II improved crop prices enabling the family to remain where they were, rotating crops of hay, corn, wheat, and oats. In an story that reflects the characteristic neatness of Dutch homes around this time, Henrietta once faced a chimney on fire, and instead of tossing on it some dirty dishwater she had in front of her, she emptied it and poured clean water to extinguish the flames.

The Mulders were highly respected in the community, and Marvin became an elder in the church and member of the school board, among other activities. The farm, by the 1950s consisting of about 12 cows and 800-1,000 chickens, had over time become run-down, and Marvin worked to build it back up again, buying new tools and helping neighbors with them; the resulting money he put back into the farm.

Later Marvin was ready to buy the farm, and even had agreed on a price with his father Gerrit, but when he found out the farm still had to support Allie, he started to look into buying another farm. He was advised against it, however.

In 1961 they contracted and built a new house nearby on Port Sheldon Road, partially with the proceeds from the auction of the farm equipment. The farm was sold that same year, much of the money going to Allie. Herman and Gertrude Gruppen, brother and sister and close friends, and brother James Mulder, began to envy Marvin's new home and success, and accuse Marvin of stealing from his father to build the house. The dispute grew when all other relatives were informed and chose sides, and it was only with the passing of many years that relations improved to acceptance.

Henrietta was a warm person, always caring as mother, grandmother, and friend.

Henrietta is buried in North Holland Cemetery (R14 B2 L3).