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VANDERWERF, Simpka 1866-1960

VANDERWERF, LINDEMAN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 5/12/2016 at 12:47:16

Mrs. C. Vanderwerf Passes Away at Age Of 94 Monday Eve.

Mrs. Simpka Vanderwerf, one of Wellsburg's pioneer residents, died at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Presbyterian Home in Ackley, where she had made her home for the past year. She was 94 years old last August.

Funeral services will be held at St. Peter's Evangelical and Reformed Church northwest of Wellsburg, at 1 p.m. Friday, following prayer service at her former home. The Rev. E. H. Buschman will officiate. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

--The Wellsburg Herald (Wellsburg, Iowa), 24 November 1960, pg 1

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Obituary of Mrs. S. Vanderwerf

Mrs. Simpka Vanderwerf, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Lindeman was born in Dixon, Ill., on August 29, 1866. At an early age she came with her parents to German township, Grundy County, Ia. It was here that she attended the rural school and grew to young womanhood.

On March 6, 1890, she was united in marriage with Casjen Vanderwerf by the Rev. Schmitt, pastor of the Eastfriesland Presbyterian Church. Immediately after this they moved on a farm north of Ackley, Iowa, but two years later they moved to a farm which they purchased in German township.

This union was blessed with 10 children; however, this family circle was broken when Mr. Vanderwerf passed away on Nov. 20, 1915. In 1928 her son, John, was called to his eternal reward, and two years later her daughter, Edtjedena (Mrs. H. Miller) leaving a ten-day old child who Mrs. Vanderwerf lovingly took into her home and tenderly cared for. Two brothers and three sisters also preceded her in death.

During her life she experienced many hardships and disappointments, but as she often said, she received her help from above. After her husband's death she successfully raised the large family. In 1918 her oldest son was called into the service of his country, again leaving her to carry on the farm work with the younger children.

At the age of 80, her house burned but with the help of the children another house was moved on the place, so that her desire to live on the old home place might be fulfilled. As time went on her physical strength declined and her vision became dim, and as a result she was unable to read, but her daughter would come in daily to read from God's Word to her. On January 16, 1955 she had the misfortune of falling and breaking her wrist. From that time until 1958 when she was taken to the Golden Age Restorium in Wellsburg, she made her home with her children. Last year she entered the Presbyterian Home at Ackley, where she enjoyed her many new friends.

In spite of all the difficulties which she experienced, she would say, "Take your burdens to the Lord and He will help you". She was always ready to help neighbors or friends that were in need. Mrs. Vanderwerf was a loyal and faithful member of St. Peter's E. and R. church and worshiped there regularly as long as she was able. She was also a Sunday school teacher for many years and a faithful charter member of the Grauen Verein, now known as the Women's Guild.

On Sept. 28, 1960 she suffered a light stroke and from then on she became weaker and weaker and on Monday evening, Nov. 21, at 7:30 she quietly passed away, thus reaching the age of 94 years, two months and 22 days.

Surviving are the following children: Hattie (Mrs. John Boelman), Aplington; Mary (Mrs. George G. Boelman), Ackley; William Vanderwerf, Aplington; Ida (Mrs. John Lenderts), George; Peter Vanderwerf, Shell Rock; Anna (Mrs. Wolbert Hinders), Ackley; Casjen Vanderwerf, Parkersburg; Sucela (Mrs. Koert Eilderts), Wellsburg; 23 grandchildren, two of whom made their home with their grandmother; 33 great-grandchildren; two sisters: Mrs. Anna Johnson, wife of the late Jerry Johnson, St. Louis, Mo.; and Mrs. Hattie Schmitt, Eldora; also many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Friday, Nov. 25, at 12:30 at the home and later at the St. Peter's E. & R. Church, with the Rev. E. H. Buschman officiating. Mrs. Allen Spieker was organist and the soloist was Mrs. G. E. Hesse. Selections sung were "Safe in the Arms of Jesus" and "Rock of Ages". Pallbearers included: Rev. Calvin Vanderwerf, Casjen Boelman, Carl Boelman, Chester Vanderwerf, Glenus Hinders and Wendell Eilderts. Interment was in the church cemetery.

--The Aplington News (Aplington, Iowa), 1 December 1960, pg 2


 

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