Jenny Groothuis

JENNY GROOTHUIS Marion On Sunday, June 29, 2014, Jenny Groothuis's life was cut short and she is no longer with us. Jenny Marie Groothuis was born Nov. 8, 1974, in Hudson, Wis., the daughter of David Vail and Mary Lou Vail-Brown. She grew up with her twin sisters in Minnesota. Jenny graduated from the University of Iowa, where she was a Spanish major and member of Phi Beta Kappa, earning their highest honors. Jenny married Brad Groothuis on July 21, 1995. Together, they were proud to be raising 15 children; eight adopted from her favorite continent, Africa. Jenny was a member of Maranatha Bible Church, Wind and Fire Ministries, River of Life Church and the FLIGHT Homeschool Group. Jenny enjoyed spending time with her husband, Brad; Zumba classes and dance parties with her kids, drinking coffee with friends, and power walks with her sister. Jenny was a gifted writer who used her words to encourage, inspire and lift others up. She loved to read, bask in the sun and invite friends, neighbors (and sometimes even strangers) over for a meal. Jenny had a way of making everyone she knew feel important and loved. Survivors include her husband, Brad; children, Sebastian, Gabriel, Alicia, Solomon, Antonio, Princess, Marcelo, Dominic, Sofia, Adriana, Blessing, Zemira, Esther, Solana and Ari; father, David Vail; mother, Mary Lou Vail-Brown (Jim Brown); and sisters, Christina (Dan) Hernandez and Julie (Matthew) Collins. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Ariana Groothuis. A memorial fund has been established in Jenny's honor at www.Jenny Groothuis.com. Please sign the online guest book for Jenny at www.murdochfuneral home.com under obituaries. Funeral services for Jenny Marie Groothuis will be 10 a.m. Thursday, July 3, at River of Life Ministries, 3801 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402. Arrangements made by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion.