James A. deGrood

James A. deGrood, of Eagan peacefully came to rest Tuesday, Jan. 2 at the ripe old age of 95.

A frugal Dutchman, he would have shuddered at the idea of frittering away money on an obit, so we’ve endeavored to keep this brief: Jim grew up at the height of the Great Depression on a dairy farm in Faribault, MN, the third of nine children born to Dutch and German immigrant parents. He dropped out of St. John’s University to become a pilot in the Navy at the end of WW II. He continued to fly after his discharge and miraculously survived not one, but two single-engine airplane crashes. More impressive, he survived a broken heart when his inseparable bride of 63 years, Donna died in 2014. Jim spent most of his professional career as a bond underwriter for various insurance companies, including United Fire Group of Cedar Rapids, IA. After retirement, he and Donna enjoyed many happy years wintering in Fort Myers, FL.

Preceded in death by 1 1/2-year-old daughter, Mary Kay; grandson, Adam; daughter-in-law, Susan DeGrood; brothers George, Robert, and Victor DeGrood; parents, George and Barbara DeGrood.

Survived by sisters, Sr. Marian OP, Barbara Ann, Therese, Cecilia; brother Edward (Phyllis); sisters-in-law, Carol, Joanne; nine children, Thomas (Sarah), Richard (Joann), Mark (Rebecca), Daniel (Toni), Paul (Jane), Brian, Douglas (Michaelanne), John, and Ann Latzke (David); as well as 24 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, January 8, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. at Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Faribault. Interment will be at St. Lawrence Cemetery, Faribault.

Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the Mass at church.

The family prefers that memorials be directed to Bethlehem Academy, 105 3rd Ave SW, Faribault, MN 55021 or bacards.org, in memory of Jim.

Funeral arrangements are being completed by the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault.