VANDERWERF, Gepka 1902-1964

VANDERWERF, ASCHER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 8/5/2010 at 12:00:13

Mrs. Vanderwerf Commits Suicide At Farm Home

Mrs. Gepke Vanderwerf committed suicide at her farm home 7 miles west, 2 miles south, and a quarter of a mile west of Grundy Center between 3:30 and 4 o'clock Friday afternoon. She was in the yard near the corner of the house when she shot herself. One shot was through the mouth, another entered the side of the head, and a third shot was not accounted for. Her body was found shortly after by her brother, Jake Ascher, with whom she had been living. Dr. Meyer from Wellsburg, who is deputy county medical examiner, and Sheriff Leslie Craven were called. The officers decided death was clearly due to suicide and no coroner's inquest was considered necessary.

The body was taken to the Beving Funeral Home at Wellsburg where funeral arrangements were made. Services were at the funeral home at 12:30 on Tuesday and later at the St. Paul's Lutheran church in Wellsburg. Burial was in the cemetery adjoining St. Peter's Evangelical church, northwest of Wellsburg. Mrs. Vanderwerf was 61 years old.

She was born June 23, 1902, on a farm near Wellsburg, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. August Ascher. Her maiden name was Gepke Asher. On December 10, 1924, she was married to John Vanderwerf. He died June 6, 1928. For many years she and her brother Jake Ascher had been living on the farm where she died. She and her brother were joint owners of the farm. No one was able to give any cause for the suicide. She had never made any reference to trying to end her life. She had for some time been receiving treatment for arthritis and rheumatism, and had been using a cane to assist her in walking.

Survivors include two brothers, Jake Ascher, Grundy Center, and August Ascher, Wellsburg. There are two surviving sisters, Mrs. Hilko Kolthoff, Steamboat Rock, and Mrs. Fred Henze, Holland. Preceded in death by her husband, one daughter and two sisters.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 23 January 1964, pg 1

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Gepka Vanderwerf was born to Mr. and Mrs. August Ascher on June 23, 1902 in Shiloh township. She reached the age of 61 years, 6 months and 23 days at time of her death.

Gepka Vanderwerf received her education in a rural school in Grundy county. On December 10, 1924 she married John Vanderwerf. They made their home on a farm north of Wellsburg for two years and then in 1926, they moved to the farm in Melrose township. A daughter born to this union died in infancy. Mr. Vanderwerf passed away on June 6, 1928. Since that time she has lived with her brother Jake Ascher on the Melrose township farm.

Mrs. Vanderwerf was baptized on September 30, 1902 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Luth. church in Wellsburg. She attended St. Paul’s Luth. church. Burial services were held at St. Pauls’ Ev. Luth. church and interment at St. Peter’s E & R cemetery.

The family expressed their thanks to the relatives and friends who gave evidence of their sympathy and concern by their many deeds and gifts and to those who gave memorial gifts.

--The Grundy Register, 30 January 1964