LUITJENS, John 1887-1923

LUITJENS, HUISMAN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 7/11/2012 at 11:16:34

John Luitjens Died on Tuesday Eve

John Luitjens, one of the best known young farmers of this section, died very suddenly Tuesday afternoon at his home on the John Tjaden farm northwest of Wellsburg.

Mr. Luitjens had been ailing for the past two years. About six or seven months ago his illness took a ? turn.

He was taken to Rochester for an examination about August first but no satisfactory diagnosis of his affection could be given. He returned home and again about first of September was taken to Rochester for a second examination. By this time, his condition seemed dangerous, as a fainting condition and weakness had developed.

Strange to say, as his condition grew worse his hope seemed to increase. He had at first seemed to be low ap? his nerves were unstrung ?, however, he was apparently expecting to be fully recovered ? a short time and was cheerful ? the very last, having only a day or two before his death stated that he intended to attend the coming sale of his father-in-law, John B. Huisman, next Saturday, "if I have to go in a wheel-chair." he said.

Tuesday afternoon, Mrs. Luitjens, was in Wellsburg having their little son Dale, who was kicked by a horse last week, taken care of by the doctor. She had been home only a short time when Mr. Luitjens was attacked by a fainting spell, from which he never rallied, death coming about five o'clock.

The funeral will be held at the home Friday at 1 o'clock, followed by services at the English church in Wellsburg.

The pall bearers will be Ben F. Peters, Ubbe Peters, Otta Tjaden, Ben Hoekstra, Frank Lutz and H. A. Geerdes.

Interment will be made in the J. B. Huisman lot in Wellsburg cemetery, where his little son, who preceded him in death some years ago, is now buried.

The deceased leaves a wife and four children, besides his parents, of Grundy Center, and several brothers and sisters.

He was a young man of genial disposition, and had become known among those who able to judge, as a good farmer. He loved good horses, and a year or two ago bought one of the prettiest teams of matched chestnut sorrel horses, that were ever in this part of the country. He paid Henry A. Geerdes a good price for the team and took much pride in their ownership.

Mr. Luitjens' genial, friendly manner made him very popular with all who knew him. "Johnnie," as he was always called, numbered a very large circle of acquaintances hereabouts, and the news of his sudden death is a cause of regret to every one who knew him.

--Wellsburg Herald (Wellsburg, Iowa), 24 October 1923

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Luitjens Funeral Well Attended

The funeral of John Luitjens, who died suddenly last Tuesday, was held Friday, as previously announced in the Herald. The English church was filled to overflowing and hundreds were unable to gain admittance.

The floral offerings were many and beautiful, coming from many different points, as the deceased young man was well known and liked in a half dozen different places in this vicinity, having lived at different times in several nearby towns.

The choir of the Ivester church, of which Mrs. Dan Sheller, a sister of the deceased, is a member, attended the funeral and sang at the church and also at the cemetery.

Their songs added greatly to the impressiveness of the services.

Services were in charge of Rev. assisted by Rev. H. C. Bode.

The pall bearers, as given in the Herald last week were H. A. Geerdes, Frank Lutz, Ben Hoekstra, Ubbe Peters, B. F. Peters and Otta Tjaden.

Interment was made in the Wellsburg cemetery.

Obituary.
John Luitjens was born on Oct. 15, 1887 and passed away Oct. 23, 1923, at the age of thirty-six years and eight days.

Two years ago his health began to fail him and altho help was sought at various places including Rochester, Minn., all was to no avail. The end came suddenly on Tuesday afternoon.

Mr. Luitjens was born in Hardin county, Iowa, and has lived in this vicinity all his life with the exception of nine years spent in Ireton, Sioux county, Iowa.

On Feb. 13, 1907, he was married to Miss Elsie Huisman and they became the parents of five sons, one of whom, Wenda, preceded his father in death.

He leaves to mourn his departure his wife and four sons, Delbert, Cecil, Merle and Dale; also his father L. H. Luitjens, of Grundy Center, and a having died in 1906, also two brothers, Willis and Henry, and four sisters, Mrs. Ray Sheller, Mrs. Ernest G. ?, Mrs. Dan Sheller and Mrs. Percy Sheller.

Card of Thanks.
We wish to return our deep appreciation of the many acts of kindness and sympathy from the many friends during the sickness and death of our beloved husband and father.

Also thanks to the singers, and for the beautiful flowers.

Mrs. John Luitjens and Children

--Wellsburg Herald (Wellsburg, Iowa), 31 October 1923

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NORTH GRUNDY FARMER DEAD

John Luitjens, a son of L. H. Luitjens of Grundy Center, who for several years had been a prominent farmer in north Grundy, died at his home Tuesday night of last week after having been in poor health for two years. Two months ago he went to Rochester for an examination and receiving no definite assurance of his condition, he returned to the hospital again in September. He was afflicted with frequent fainting spells. He received such an attack on Tuesday evening from which he did not rally.

In 1907 he was married to Miss Elsie Huisman, who survives him. To this happy union were born five sons, Delbert, Cecil, Wendo, Meryl and Dale. Wendo preceded his father in death, Jun 20, 1914, at the age of three years.

--Ackley Newspaper, 8 November 1923