BEENKEN, Luitjen 1882-1950

BEENKEN, SINK

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 4/7/2015 at 09:18:00

Luitjen Beenken Died Saturday

Luitjen Beenken died last Saturday afternoon at his home in Grundy Center following an illness of about four years. He was afflicted with a heart ailment. He was 68 years old and had resided in Grundy county since coming here with his parents as a child of two years.

Funeral services were held at the Engelkes funeral home in Grundy Center at two o'clock Tuesday afternoon. The services were conducted by Rev. Merton Green, pastor of the Grundy Center Methodist church. Burial was in the Grundy Center cemetery.

Was Born in Germany
The deceased was a son of Mr. and Mrs. L. G. Beenken. He was born at Callinghaus, Germany, Jan. 2, 1882. At the age of 2 1/2 years he came with his parents to America. The family located on a farm in Lincoln township where the children grew up.

Luitjen Beenken and Mildred Sink were married in Grundy Center on May 23, 1909. They started housekeeping on a farm near Stout, where they lived for 25 years. The past 16 years they resided on the large Mrs. Rose Bailey farm northwest of Holland. They moved to Grundy Center in March of this year.

Parents of 14 Children
Mr. and Mrs. Beenken became the parents of 14 children, all of whom are living. Nine are girls and five are boys.

The children are: Luitjen Jr., Wilbur, Morrison; Mrs. Henry Ridder, New Hartford; Mrs. Herman Bohlen, Parkersburg; Edward, LaPorte; Alfred, New Hartford; Mrs. Hans Storjohann, of Grundy Center; Mrs. George Gerloff, Holland; Mrs. Raymond Katzer, Conrad; Mrs. John Korthous, Jr., Vinton; Mrs. Bob Hinders, Grundy Center; Harvey, Holland; Mrs. Benjamin J. VanDeest, Dike; Lavina, who is at home.

Other survivors besides the wife are 29 grandchildren; two brothers, Ludwig, LaPorte, and Herman, Grundy Center; one sister, Mrs. John Walbaum, Grundy Center.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 18 May 1950, pg 15