Johanna Degroot, 92, of Aurora, SD passed away Friday, August 16, 2024 at the Neighborhoods at Brookview. Funeral Services have been set for 2:00pm Friday, August 23, 2024 at Rude’s Funeral Home, Brookings, SD. 

Johanna Cramer was born in Sanborn, Iowa August 29,1931 to Taeke and Albertje (Sijbesma) Cramer. As a young girl she moved with her family to a farm near Woodstock, MN. She met the love of her life at a roller-skating rink and was married to Lawrence DeGroot on October 6, 1950 in Holland, Minn. The couple moved to Fort Hood, Texas where Lawrence served in the army. Their daughter Lynetta Joy was born in Fort Hood on his discharge day, April 9, 1953. They moved to the DeGroot family farm near Chandler, MN.

In 1955 Lawrence and Jo bought their own farm near Aurora. Johanna was a hard-working farm wife who was willing to drive the tractor to help with the plowing, to haul the grain and even to sort the hogs for market. She enjoyed working in the garden and being outside working with her husband.

Johanna was a self-taught musician who played the piano, organ, guitar, and accordion by ear. For over 25 years, the Cramer brothers and sisters would have a family reunion over Labor Day at a music festival. They would play their instruments and sing their favorite songs. She was a member of the South Dakota Old Time Fiddlers and entertained in many communities in SD. She loved to sing, especially the old cowboy and gospel songs. The audience loved it when she would yodel. She was the winner of several yodeling contests over the years.

Lawrence & Johanna spent many winters in South Texas where they enjoyed the music jams, the warm weather and were able to spend time in Houston with their daughter.

Johanna is survived by her husband of 73 years, Lawrence, her son-in-law Thomas Krehmeier, her brother-in-law, Nick Van Slooten and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Lynetta who died April 25, 2024, her siblings Bill and his wife Dorothy, Ed and his wife Minnie, Maartje and her husband Marinus, John and his wife Ethel, Rose and her husband Anthony Vander Syde, and Betty Van Slooten.