WILLIAMS, Jerry 1879-1950

WILLIAMS, SAATHOFF, RIEKENA

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 4/6/2015 at 21:18:09

Jerry Williams Dies Suddenly

Jerry Williams died very suddenly about 8:30 Monday morning while working at the sand bed at Wellsburg's sewer outlet. He was in his usual good health when he left for work in the morning. Near him helping in the sand bed were Fred Potter, John Wubbens and Evert Ross. They saw him suddenly collapse with the shovel in his hand and he died without uttering a sound. County Coroner Harold Engelkes at Grundy Center was notified and he came at once. He was satisfied the man died from a heart attack and regarded no inquest necessary. He had not shown any previous heart weakness. He was 70 years old on Dec. 11 of last year. He was born in Germany and came to this country and this county with his parents when he was 8 years old.

The news of the sudden death came as a shock to the community and it was received with deepest regret by Jerry Williams' many friends.

Jerry Williams lived in Grundy county nearly all of his life and up to eight years ago he was engaged in farming. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Harm Williams, early residents of German township. He was married to Frederieka Riekena in 1909. The couple started housekeeping on a Grundy farm and remained on the farm until eight years ago when they came to Wellsburg. They lived on the Heye Geerdes farm many years before coming to Wellsburg.

Surviving are the wife, two sons and two daughters. The sons are Will, who resides on the W. J. Janssen farm, and Harry who lives in Steamboat Rock. The daughters are Mrs. John Krull and Mrs. Raymond Riebkes. There are five grandchildren. Other surviving relatives are one sister, Mrs. H. E. Knock, Parkersburg, and one brother, Harm Williams, Aplington.

Funeral services were held at the First Christian Reformed church west of Wellsburg on Wednesday afternoon. Burial was in the cemetery adjoining the church. Rev. Joseph VandeKieft officiated at the service.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 20 April 1950, pg 17

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Last Rites For Jerry Williams

Last rites were held last Wednesday for Jerry Williams, who died suddenly on the morning of April 18th. Services were at the home at one o'clock and later at the First Christian Reformed church with Rev. Joseph VandeKieft officiating. Burial was in the cemetery adjoining the church. There was a very large attendance at the church service.

Music during the services was by Claus Primus, John Primus, and Alfred and Henry Eiten, with Mrs. Arthur Cooper, accompanist. Flower attendants were Mrs. Harvey Vahlsing and Mrs. Geo. Sietsema, Jr. The casketbearers were Harold Geerdes, Willard Riekena, Harm Knock, Andy Knock, Jerry H. Williams and Herman Williams.

Relatives From a Distance
Relatives from a distance who attended the funeral services were Mrs. Henry Knock, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Knock, Mr. and Mrs. Andy Knock, Mr. and Mrs. Harm Knock, Mr. and Mrs. Markley Knock, of Parkersburg; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Knock of Charles City;

Mr. and Mrs. Harm Williams and family of Aplington; Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Williams, Cedar Falls; Mr. and Mrs. Herman Williams, Whitten; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Jurgens, Greene; Elso VanHauen, Stout; Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Saathoff and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Harm VanHauen and daughter of New Hartford;

Mr. and Mrs. Ray Lillibridge and Aug. Schafer of Rockwell; Mrs. Rachel Ohden, Grace Ohden, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Middents, Mr. and Mrs. Pete Middents, of Kamrar; Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Abels of Kanawha;

Mr. and Mrs. Gratus Riekena, Forest City; Mrs. Effie Zacharias, Ted Zacharias, Mrs. Harold Keninger, Mrs. Luella Scallon, Ackley; Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hazlitt, Mr. and Mrs. Don Graham, of Waverly; Mr. and Mrs. John Bakker and Mrs. Geo. Sietsema, Renville, Minn.; Martin Ryken, Mrs. Chas. Ryken and Mrs. Roy Heffelmier of Ackley.

Obituary
Jerry Williams was born in Germany, Dec. 11, 1879, to Harm Williams and Harmke Saathoff. He died on the morning of Apr. 17, 1950, while at work in Wellsburg, at the age of 70 years, 4 mo., 6 days.

At the age of 8 Jerry came to this country with his parents. Both the parents and four brothers and sisters of this home have preceded Mr. Williams in death. One brother and one sister died in infancy; one sister died at the age of 8 or 9, and one brother, George, and one sister, Mrs. Elso VanHauen, died a few years ago. One brother and one sister still survive.

Nov. 23, 1905, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Frieda Riekena, who survives to mourn his departure. To this marriage were born two sons and two daughters, all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Williams made their home on the farm west of Wellsburg until about 7 years ago, when they retired and moved to Wellsburg. He was a member of First Chr. Reformed church of Wellsburg.

Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Frieda Williams; two sons and two daughters: Will Williams of Wellsburg, Harry Williams of Steamboat Rock, Mrs. John Krull and Mrs. Raymond Riebkes of Wellsburg; 7 grandchildren; one brother, Harm Williams, Aplington; one sister, Mrs. Henry Knock of Parkersburg.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 27 April 1950, pg 10