GEERDES, Henry G. 1860-1948

GEERDES, MEYER, ASHER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 10/28/2016 at 08:59:52

Funeral Services for Henry Geerdes Held Monday Afternoon

Henry G. Geerdes, one of the oldest residents in Steamboat Rock, passed away at his home in that city Friday, Aug. 20 at the age of 87 years. Up until recent months he had enjoyed good health. Death was the result of old age infirmities.

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Geerd Geerdes, he was born near Freeport, Ill., on Nov. 13, 1860, and reached the age of 87 years, 9 months and 7 days. He moved to Iowa in the year 1866, was united in marriage with Annie Meyer who preceded him in death May 21, 1913. In July of 1914 he married Caroline Asher who also preceded him in death in March 1927. He was a charter member of the Presbyterian Church in Steamboat Rock and remained in good standing throughout his early life.

Surviving are four daughters: Mrs. Ben Isebrands, Titonka, Iowa; Mrs. G. B. Riekena, Forrest City, Iowa; Mrs. William Berends, Steamboat Rock; and Miss Bessie Geerdes at home, also one step-daughter, Mrs. J. A. Luiken of Steamboat Rock and one daughter-in-law, Mrs. George Henry Geerdes.

One daughter and one son also preceded him in death; Mrs. R. W. Ross of Wellsburg in July 1932 and George Henry Geerdes of Wellsburg in April 1944.

Also surviving are two sisters: Mrs. W. A. Meyer and Mrs. S. J. Snittjer of Wellsburg and one brother, John Geerdes of Wellsburg. Three brothers: Argen, Jake, and Hie of Wellsburg preceded him in death. There are 23 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the home at 1:00 o'clock and later at the Presbyterian church in Steamboat Rock. Services were in charge of Rev. Rendell A. Davis. Interment was in the First Christian Reformed Church west of Wellsburg.

Music was furnished by Lloyd A. Simester as soloist, and Mrs. Orville Asher, Mrs. Herman Primus, Mrs. Russel Holmes, Mrs. Geo. Potgeter, with Miss Angeline Ross as pianist. Flower attendants were Mrs. Ben Jaspers and Mrs. A. W. Ross.

Casketbearers were Ben Riekena, Henry Riekena, Gratus G. Riekena, Willard Ross, Edward Berends, Henry B. Isebrands.

Relatives from a distance were: Jake Sweers, Herman Sweers and Mrs. Joe Learer of Britt; John Isebrands, Senus Isebrands, Mrs. Ed Ites, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Isebrands, Delores Isebrands of Titonka; Mrs. Henry Brower and daughter of Clear Lake; Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Bentley of Woden; Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Riekena and daughter Evelyn, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Riekena, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Riekena, Mr. and Mrs. Dutch Riekena, Mr. and Mrs. Warren Riekena, Mr. and Mrs. George Riekena, Edward Riekena, Beulah Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Henry B. Isebrands and daughter Wilma of Forrest City; Mr. and Mrs. Miner Haack of Webster City; Mr. and Mrs. Oltman Oltmans and Mr. and Mrs. John Rollfs of Allison; Mrs. Ruby Hundutmark of Eldora and relatives from Wellsburg.

--The Wellsburg Herald (Wellsburg, Iowa), 26 August 1948, pg 1