MEYER, Grietje 1867-1949

MEYER, GEERDES

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 1/29/2015 at 16:47:58

Mrs. W. H. Meyer Dies from Stroke

Mrs. W. H. Meyer, who would have been 82 years old on February 16th and who resided in this community all of her life, died at her home in Wellsburg Saturday night. She suffered a paralytic stroke five days before her death that left her helpless.

Mrs. Meyer came from one of the pioneer families who came to make their home in Grundy county nearly ninety years ago. Her maiden name was Grietje Geerdes, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Geerd J. Geerdes. When she was born the family lived on a farm west of Wellsburg across the Shiloh township line in Hardin county. The Geerdes family was one of the first families who came here to establish a permanent home and to help in building up this community.

There were five sons and two daughters in this pioneer family. Only one son and one daughter now remain. They are John Geerdes and Mrs. S. J. Snittjer, both residents of this community. The four brothers who have passed on, each of whom lived a useful life in this community, were Argen Geerdes, Jake, Heye and Henry Geerdes.

Married Over 63 Years
Had she lived until next October, Mr. and Mrs. Meyer would have been married 64 years. They were married in the First Christian Reformed church west of Wellsburg, October 27, 1885. Rev. H. Bode was the officiating pastor.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Meyer began their life together on a farm in Shiloh township a short distance south of the church. They resided there until 1915 when they moved into their own home in Wellsburg where they have since resided.

Mrs. Meyer had been affiliated with the First Reformed church during the early part of her life and continued her association there until the Second Christian Reformed church was organized, of which she was a charter member. She was a devoted wife and mother and she was held in high esteem by all who knew her. Few people were privileged to reside in one locality for so many years and to see the country develop from a raw prairie to a prosperous community. Her long life was marked with the friendship of good neighbors and the continued love and devotion of all of the members of her large family.

Funeral Services Tuesday
Funeral services were held on Tuesday afternoon at the Second Christian Reformed church. All seating space in the church was occupied by relatives and friends. Burial was in the Christian Reformed church cemetery. The services were conducted by the resident pastor, Rev. John Rubingh.

Surviving are the husband, who is three years older than his wife, two daughters, Mrs. Ben Neessen and Mrs. Ray Nichols; one son, Albert; one brothers, John, and one sister, Mrs. S. J. Snittjer. There are eleven grandchildren.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 6 January 1949, pg 17

[note by transcriber: The name as stated in the newspaper should read W. A. Meyer, not W. H. Meyer]