GRUIZENGA, Larry
Portage, MI

Passed away after a long illness on Wednesday, February 12, 2003. Larry was born July 20, 1943, the son of Herman and Clarissa (Vander Veen) Gruizenga. He graduated from Loy Norrix High School, and was united in marriage to his childhood sweetheart, Carol Sosinski on August 25, 1962. Larry worked for thirty years at Inmont Ink Corporation/BASF, where he excelled in sales and eventually became Branch Manager. He became a realtor in 1999, working for Chuck Jaqua Realtors, where he made many good friends. Until his illness he was active in the Portage Rotary Club. Larry had a lifelong love of sports, beginning with playing baseball as a boy. He loved nothing more than a golf outing with his friends and family. He was an avid fan of University of Michigan football, and every year supported the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Lions. But, most of all, he loved the years he was involved in the Portage Little League, which started when he was an official scorekeeper for his son's games, !
and later grew into a successful coaching career and culminated with his becoming President of South Portage Little League from 1989 to 1991. Larry was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Carol; son, Joel of Schaumburg, IL; daughter, Lana (Joe) Hulsebus of Oshtemo; brother, Stan (Janet) Earl of Delton; sister, Nancy (Bud) Popke of Kalamazoo; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was an upbeat, personable guy who will be greatly missed by all who knew him.