BEENEN Klass "Clate" W. (1879-1918)

BEENEN, MODDERMAN, SCOTT, BOHMAN, VIERKANT

Posted By: Betsy Monson (email)
Date: 3/23/2022 at 09:49:10

The people of Alexander are in deep sorrow over the shocking news of the deaths of an entire family, Mr. and Mrs. Clate Beenen and their baby, Grace Evelyn, who were all taken sick about two weeks ago with influenza and later developing into pneumonia, which occurred their deaths a few hours apart. These young people in the prime of their life, taken so suddenly from our midst, were well known in and around Alexander.

Miss Mattie Modderman was born December 1, 1892 in Reeve township at Hampton, Iowa. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Modderman. She lived at first near Hampton and later at Alexander. She was married on November 29, 1916 to Clate Beenen and lived with him in the holy bonds of matrimony for about two years. This union was blessed with one daughter. Their happy life was marred when she also took sick with dreadful influenza.

The deceased died on Thursday, November 21, 1918 at Alexander in her home where her husband and child were also lying sick. She bore her sickness in hope with patience and departed this difficult way in her youthful years. She was of a loving and kind disposition, always wearing a smile for everyone.

On the 21st of March, 1911 she joined the Reformed Church, of which she has since been an active worker.

One brother, Fred Modderman, preceded her in death.

There remains to mourn her departure, the sorrowful parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Modderman; seven brothers: John, Claas, Ilert, Herman, George, Fred and Henry all of Alexander and two sisters: Mrs. Charley Scott of Latimer and Mrs. Henry Bohman of this place and several other close relatives. The departed one reached the age of 25 years, 11 months and 20 days.

Clate Beenen was born on the 11th of September, 1879 at Landscaps, Polder, Germany and died on Friday morning, November 22, 1918 at Alexander.

He came with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Theo Beenen from Germany in May 1884 and they lived at first at Chapin and later at Alexander. On the 29th of November, 1916 he was united in marriage to Miss Mattie Modderman. He reached the age of 39 years, 2 months and 11 days.

Those that remain to mourn his departure are his mother, Mrs. Theo Beenen of this place; two sisters: Mrs. George Vierkant and Anna and four brothers: Rudolph and Aldrich of Alexander; Private Will Beenen of Camp Dodge and Theodore Beenen, a soldier in France and other near relatives.

Clate was a carpenter by trade for several years, until last March they moved onto a farm southeast of town where they resided until death. The little daughter, Grace Evelyn, passed away Saturday evening and had reached the age of one year and three months.

Funeral services were held last Sunday at 2 o'clock conducted by Reverend John Schaffer, pastor of the Reformed Church, after which the three bodies were laid to rest in the Alexander Cemetery.

Clarion Clipper 28 Nov 1918 (Thu)