Rev. WILLIAM JELLE TJADEN 1911-2003

HOPKUS, TJADEN, GESELBRACHT, KRAMER, SCHULTER

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/12/2005 at 16:48:25

Rev. WILLIAM JELLE TJADEN

Rev. William Tjaden, age 92, of Clarksville, Iowa, died Monday, December 8, 2003, at Sartori Memorial Hospitals in Cedar Falls, Iowa, from natural causes. Funeral services were held Thursday, December 11 at First Presbyterian Church, Waukon, with Rev. Larry Olson officiating. Interment was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

William Jelle Tjaden was born February 15, 1911, in Woden, Iowa, the son of Jelle and Anna Marie (Hopkus) Tjaden. He received his education and was a graduate of Crystal Lake High School in 1929. He continued his education and attended the University of Dubuque for four years. Following his graduation from the university, he attended seminary for three additional years and graduated in 1938. During this time he was a student pastor at Hill Presbyterian Church in Galena, Ill. On June 9, 1938, he became an Ordained Minister and served as a pastor for over 50 years.

On September 4, 1938, William was united in marriage with Pearl Geselbracht at Hill Presbyterian Church in Galena, Ill.
He began his ministry at Zion Presbyterian Church in Schapville, Ill., where he stayed for 14 years. They moved to Mechanicsville, Iowa, in 1952 and he was pastor for four years at the First Presbyterian Church.

Also during this time, he was a supply pastor for Coon Creek Church in Lisbon, Iowa. In 1956, he became the pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Waukon, and retired after serving there for 22 years.

Following his retirement, he served as interim pastor in Postville, Iowa; New Amsterdam at Holman, Wis.; Winnebago, Minn.; Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Immanuel Church of Christ in Clarksville, Iowa.

He later moved to Clarksville to live close to his son, Bill. He continued to serve and supply at Unity Presbyterian Church in Clarksville and Presbyterian Churches in Aplington and Denver, Iowa.

He was honored by serving on the Board of Directors at the University of Dubuque, the Moderator of Galena Presbytery, the Moderator of the former Synod of the West, Board of the Trustees Bethany Home in Dubuque, Commissioner to General Assembly four times, and Moderator of Presbytery of Cedar Rapids.

Pastor William previously was a member of the Clarksville Lions Club and the Kiwanis in Waukon. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, fishing, and especially loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Survivors include three sons, David (Carol) Tjaden of Waterloo, Iowa, William (Nancy) Tjaden of Jewell, Iowa, and Calvin Tjaden of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one brother, George (Marian) Tjaden of Edina, Minn.; and one sister, Margaret Tjaden of Garner, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Pearl Tjaden, in 1974; three sisters, Sena Kramer, Alene Schulter, and Anna Tjaden; and four brothers, Steven, Ben, Ruben, and Ralph Tjaden.

Casketbearers were Todd, Scott, Tamae, Tom, Dave Jr., Paul, and Ruth Tjaden and Forest Kramer, Shannon Plum, and Roger Heiken.

©Waukon Standard 2003
source: Waukon Standard, Waukon, Allamakee Co. IA, 12/17/2003