GEERDES, Heye G. 1862-1941

GEERDES, RUTER, RIEKENA

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 12/23/2016 at 15:23:10

Heye G. Geerdes Buried Wednesday

The funeral of Heye G. Geerdes, held Wednesday at the First Christian Reformed church of Wellsburg, was attended by a very large number of the members of the congregation, and other friends and relatives from abroad.

The pall bearers were six nephews and were as follows: George A. Geerdes, George J. Geerdes, George Henry Geerdes, Ben J. Geerdes, Albert W. Meyer, and John S. Snittjer.

The services were in charge of the pastor, Rev. L. F. Voskuil, assisted by Rev. Wm. Landsiedel of Wellsburg Reformed church.

Interment was made in the cemetery of First Christian Reformed church.

The following is a copy of the obituary read at the church:

Obituary
"Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age." That word from the Bible applies to the departed brother whose departure we mourn today who through the mercy of God was permitted to attain the ripe old age of 78 years, 10 months and 7 days.

Heye Geerdes was born in Stephensen county, Illinois on Nov. 21, 1862. Seventy-five years ago he came to Wellsburg with his parents and four brothers, living on a farm 4 miles west of Wellsburg until 1884 when he married Grietje Ruter. Together they settled on a farm just west of the First Wellsburg Christian Reformed church. Two children blessed the home: George H. Geerdes and Mrs. Ray Gimer, both of Wellsburg. In 1892 he affiliated himself with the First Christian Reformed church of which he remained a member until the time of his death. In 1915 the family moved to the present home in village of Wellsburg. Mr. Geerdes was twice married. His first wife died in 1918. Later, in 1923, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Lena Riekena. Two brothers, Argen and Jacob, also preceded him in death. He is survived by the sorrowing widow, two children, three grandchildren, one great-grandchild, two brothers, two sisters and a host of other relatives and friends who will miss the departed. This long time resident of this vicinity died in the Marshalltown hospital last Sunday morning. He had been in ill health for the past year. Thus came to an end the life of this familiar resident among us. "One event happeneth to all ... It is appointed to all men once to die and after that, the judgement."

Among those from abroad who attended the funeral were the following relatives and friends:
Mrs. Rachel Ohden, Grace Ohden, Mrs. George Janssen, Mrs. Bertha Jans, Mr. Abel Middents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Middents, Mr. and Mrs. John Middents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Middents, Mr. Ben Middents, Miss Trena Middents, of Kamrar, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Aukes, Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Folkerts, Mrs. John Folkerts, Mrs. Harm Feldick, Buffalo Center, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Joh Riekena and sons, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Isebrands, of Woden, Iowa.
Mrs. Harold Hazlitt, Mrs. Donald Graham, Waverly, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Earl Neessen, Tipton, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Ohden, Williams, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Aukes, German Valley, Illinois.
Mrs. Gratus Riekena and son Edward, Forest City, Iowa.
Mr. Ben Ruter, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Abels, Kanawha, Iowa.
Mrs. Miner Haack, Webster City, Iowa.
Mrs. Effie Zacharias, Mr. John Ryken, Mr. Martin Ryken, of Ackley, Iowa.
Mr. A. D. Gimer, Renwick, Iowa.
Mrs. Belle Eekhoff, Austinville, Iowa.
Mr. Doud Smith, Algona, Iowa.

--The Wellsburg Herald (Wellsburg, Iowa), 8 October 1941, pg 1