GEERDES, Ben J. 1891-1977

GEERDES, RUTER, CLAASSEN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 12/18/2016 at 15:23:51

Ben J. Geerdes Rites Dec. 13

Ben J. Geerdes passed away Saturday morning, December 10, 1977, at the Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo due to complications of advanced age. He had been taken to the hospital for treatment on December 2nd and reached the age of 86 years, 7 months and 17 days.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday afternoon, December 13, 1977 at 1:30 p.m. at the First Christian Reformed Church. Rev. Leslie Kuiper officiated at the services. Music was furnished by a men's quartet, Claus G. Primus, Harvey Eiten, Alfred Eiten, and Willis Bakker accompanied by Mrs. Claus G. Primus. Marcia Geerdes was organist. Mrs. Jans Mennenga and Mrs. Edward Mennenga were flower attendants. Pall bearers were Delbert Meyer, Kenneth Eilers, Clarence Claassen, Gordon Heetland, Robert J. Geerdes, and Glen Bakker. Interment was held in the First Christian Reformed Church cemetery. Funeral arrangements were in charge of Doyen Funeral Home.

He was born on a farm in Shiloh Township, west of Wellsburg, on April 23, 1891, the son of John and Gertie (Ruter) Geerdes. He attended the rural school in the area. On June 30, 1920, he was united in marriage to Anna Claassen at the Colfax Center Presbyterian Church Parsonage by the Rev. Drake. Following their marriage they lived on a farm in Hardin County. This union was blessed with one son, Jonas Geerdes. In March of 1954 they moved to their present place which is located on the Grundy-Hardin County line.

Ben was a long time member of the First Christian Reformed Church of Wellsburg having made confession of his faith in Jesus Christ on April 3, 1931. They were privileged to celebrate their Golden Wedding anniversary on June 30, 1970 with their family and friends.

Preceding him in death were: his parents, 2 brothers, George and Claus Geerdes and a sister, (Gertie), Mrs. John Heikens.

Survivors include: his wife, Anna; a son Jonas Geerdes of rural Steamboat Rock; 2 grandsons, Brad, a student at U.N.I., Cedar Falls; Gregg, at home; 4 sisters and 1 brother, Mrs. Florence Heetland of Ackley; Mrs. Clara Geerdes of Wellsburg; Miss Ordie Geerdes of Wellsburg; Mrs. Grace Bakker of Wellsburg; Gratus J. Geerdes of Wellsburg and many other relatives and friends.

--The Grundy Register/Wellsburg Herald (Grundy Center, Iowa), 15 December 1977, pg 15