Fr. Kenneth Jerome Jude De Groot, O. Praem., 91, a priest of St. Norbert Abbey, has gone to his rest in the peace of Jesus Christ; he died peacefully on Thursday, May 21st - the eve of his birthday - at the abbey .

Fr. Ken was born on May 22, 1935, in Green Bay, WI to Raymond & Josephine (Beemster) De Groot, and baptized “Jerome Jude”. He was the oldest of seven boys. The family’s home parish is Holy Cross 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 was 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, MI, and an M.S. degree in Religious Education from Fordham University in New York.

Fr. Ken's ministry began as a teacher at Abbot Pennings High School (1959-1978). 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 Green Bay Diocese. 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. Knowing that the only way to pastorally care for the new parishioners was by knowing their language and culture, Fr. Ken 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. Ken co-founded Casa ALBA Melanie Hispanic Community Resource Center of Green Bay, with Sister 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 ten 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. Ken, 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. Ken was very proud of this honor bestowed upon him by the college.

Fr. Ken 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, Sister Melanie Maczka, HMIED.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sister-in-law, Dan (Darlene) and John.

The Reception of the Body and Visitation will take place at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, at St. Willebrord Church, 209 S. Adams Street, Green Bay. A Memorial Mass will follow at 7:00 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 Mass of Christian Burial, expressing our faith and hope in the promised glory of the Lord’s Resurrection 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, Sister Melanie and all those who cared for Fr. De Groot.

Ryan Funeral Home, De Pere, is assisting the Norbertine Community.