Carolyn Jean (Dob) Van Grouw

Carolyn Jean Van Grouw, 66, Berlin, went to be with her Lord and Savior April 7, 2026. Born September 3, 1959 in Passaic, NJ, daughter of Matthew and Alice (Vroegenday) Dob. Preceded in death by her parents, brother Ken Dob, and grandson Micah Van De Moere. Survived by her husband of 44 years, Paul Van Grouw; children: Rebecca (Philip) Laman, Benjamin (Laura) Van Grouw, Esther (Joseph) Van De Moere, Sarah (Christopher) Zambanini, Hannah (Timothy) Davis, Seth (Caroline), Caleb (Lindsey), and Jonathan (Nicole) Van Grouw; 28 grandchildren with two on the way; brother Alan (Carol) Dob; sister Janet Dob; and sister-in-law Marlene Dob. Member of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Johnstown. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until service at 1 p.m. Monday at the Van Grouw Family Farm, 2010 Shanksville Rd., Berlin, PA 15530. Rev. Dr. Jared Havener and Rev. Dr. David Karlberg officiating. Interment Brotherton Pike Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given to Trinity Presbyterian Church, 268 Hostetler Rd., Johnstown, PA 15904. Arrangements entrusted to Deaner Funeral Home, Berlin. DeanerFuneralsAndCremations.com

Our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, Carolyn Jean Van Grouw, passed into life eternal. She went to be with her Lord and Savior the morning of April 7th, 2026. She lived a full and blessed 66 years. Mom was born in Passaic, NJ, to Mathew and Alice Dob. She was the youngest of four children. Her siblings are Alan, Ken (who has also passed), and Janet. Mom was artistic and crafty. Even as a girl she enjoyed projects like woodworking, stained glass, and she even learned to play the accordion. The grandkids loved a round of musical chairs with Grandma. Our dear friend Ken Oosting had his hand in introducing Dad and Mom. Their relationship grew through choir practice, gardening, and hatching chicks. They were married on May 2nd of 1981. Mom and Dad were raised in suburbia but after being married for a year they took a leap of faith and became first generation dairy farmers. Mom was born to be a farmers wife. She loved the diversity of tasks, so she dove right into driving tractors, milking cows, balancing the checkbook, cabinet making, being “Mrs. Fix-it”, canning, and cheese making (but let’s not forget that she had to look up the word “heifer” in the Webster’s Dictionary after their first date). There was no job too challenging; she would tackle pouring a concrete floor to making hundreds of $144 artisan wheels of Gouda cheese beautifully. All of this, while raising her 8 children who could not have had a better childhood on the farm learning responsibility and living in the gracious home she provided. 

She warmly welcomed any guest at her door and made them feel right at home with her hospitality and that well-known, farm fresh cooking, for which she often required a hymn in exchange. Her delicious meals were often prized by neighboring farmers over the seed corn Dad needed to sell. Mom was affectionately called Grandma Moo to her 28 Grandchildren (with two on the way). She invested in their lives, celebrated their milestones, and prayed earnestly for their salvation. Mom was a believer in the grace found in Christ and owned this gift for herself. She wove singing to the Lord into the fabric of our family life. She would often say to her grandchildren, “What’s Grandma Moo’s favorite song?” And we would all start singing “What can wash away my sins, nothing but the blood of Jesus...”

For all those reading this, we know she would want nothing less for you, than to know these lyrics to be true for your own soul.

On behalf of the Van Grouw family- we so appreciate all the kindness, condolences, prayers, and help we have received in these difficult days. She was greatly loved and will be dearly missed.