HUISMAN, Jerry 1851-1934

HUISMAN, SPIEKER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 1/20/2017 at 20:43:18

Pioneer of German Township Is Dead

Jerry Huisman, 83, Dies Following Heart Attack Sunday, May 13

The funeral of Jerry Huisman was held Wednesday at the St. Peter's Evangelical church in German township. The services were in charge of Rev. Hesse, pastor of the church.

A large number of old friends of the deceased and the family were present to pay their last respects to the deceased, who was one of a pioneer family in this part of Iowa. For almost 70 years the Huisman family has been a part of the community, the deceased being one of a large family, all of them industrious worthy and capable members of the county's population.

The pall bearers were John H. Lindaman, John W. Lindaman, Menno VanLoh, John Beving, John Frey and A. J. Beving.

Obituary
Jerry Huisman was born Feb. 29[sic], 1851, in Ostfriesland, Germany. In 1858 he and his parents came to America and settled in Ogle County, Illinois. In April, 1865, his parents moved to Grundy County, Iowa. They bought a farm a few miles north of Wellsburg, and here Jerry Huisman grew up to manhood. His parents were charter members of St. Peter's Evangelical Church. On March 8, 1876, Mr. Huisman was married to Miss Henrietta Spieker. Four children were born to this union. The first seven years of their wedded life Mr. and Mrs. Huisman lived in Ackley. In the spring of 1883 they moved to the home place, north of Wellsburg, and here they lived until 1902. In that same year they built a new home, about a quarter of a mile west of the home place, and here Mr. Huisman lived for 32 years. About six years ago Mr. Huisman had trouble with his eyes and an operation was found necessary. Mrs. Huisman preceded her husband in death on November 17, 1929.

Mr. Huisman's age began to tell on him for the last few years, but it was not until about a year ago that his health began to fail noticeably. He had heart-trouble and during the last year he had four attacks, the last of which happened Sunday night, May 13. On Sunday morning he seemed to feel as well as usual and ate a good breakfast and a hearty dinner but at about 5 o'clock in the evening he began to complain of pain in his chest. He decided not to eat supper with the family and intended to retire early for the night. Company came after supper and he decided to remain up a little while longer. It seemed as though the pain had left him and he visited with his company a while longer. A little later he decided to retire for the night. Shortly before 12 o'clock the children were called to his bedside and a little while later he quietly passed away.

Mr. Huisman was a man that was well known in this community. He had friends everywhere and everybody liked to have him come to them. He had a pleasing personality and was charitable in every respect. It was a pleasure to visit him and he could tell stories from his early life in our "prairie country" that were very interesting.

Mr. Huisman was a faithful member of St. Peter's Evangelical Church. He was deeply concerned about the welfare of his church and he did much for it. His passing is indeed a loss to the congregation and it feels this loss keenly.

Three children, two brothers and two sisters, 14 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren besides a host of other relatives and friends mourn his death. The children are Dick Huisman, Mrs. Peters, and Mrs. Molendorp. His brothers are John Huisman of Wellsburg and Harm Huisman of Bridgewater, S. Dak. His sisters are Mrs. Anka Walbaum of Geary, Okla., and Mrs. John Tjaden of Wellsburg.

The funeral took place in St. Peter's Evangelical Church. The church was filled to the last place. The pastor, Rev. G. E. Hesse, read the scripture and offered prayer. An old time friend, Rev. C. Heinrich, spoke words of comfort in German to the family and friends, basing his words on the text, Job 5:24. Rev. Hesse followed with a sermon in English, using the text Rom. 7:24.

Mrs. Ray Toomsen and Mrs. G. E. Hesse sang the following duets: "Naher Heim," "I Shall See Him As He Is," "At Morning Time" and "When I See Him."

The span of Mr. Huisman's life was 83 years, 2 months, 25 days.

--Wellsburg Herald (Wellsburg, Iowa), 16 May 1934, pg 1

-----------------------------------------------

Jerry Huisman Dies Suddenly Sunday Night

Came to Grundy County 69 Years ago; Was One of County's Earliest Residents

Jerry Huisman who for 69 years had been a resident of Grundy county died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Helmer Molendorp about midnight Sunday night. He was taken ill about ten o'clock in the evening and passed away two hours later.

Mr. Huisman was 34[sic] years old last February. He was born in Ostfriesland, Germany, and at an early age he came to this country with his folks. The family resided a few years on a farm near Freeport. In 1865 they came to Grundy county. They bought a farm 3 miles north of Wellsburg and this place has been in the Huisman family ever since. The home farm is now owned by J. B. Huisman. The Geerdes family landed here. These are now the two oldest families in this section of the county.

Jerry was the oldest of the children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Meint Huisman. After his marriage to Miss Jennie Spieker, he bought a farm in German township a mile from the home place on which he made his home continually. Following the death of his wife six years ago he made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Helmer Molendorp and family. He has been in fairly good health in spite of his advanced years but for several years had not been actively engaged in farming.

When Mr. Huisman came to Grundy county, this section of the country was mostly prairie land and there were few houses. He saw as much of the county's gradual growth and development as any other person now living. He had a wide acquaintance in this part of the county and those who knew him liked and trusted him.

Surviving members of his family are one son, Dick, and two daughters, Mrs. Helmer Molendorp and Mrs. H. Peters, all residents of the county. There are two brothers and two sisters living. The brothers are J. B. Huisman of Wellsburg and Harm of Bridgewater, S.D. The sisters are Mrs. John Tjaden of Wellsburg and Mrs. Walbaum from Oklahoma.

Funeral services were held at the home at one o'clock Wednesday afternoon and later at St. Paul's[sic] Lutheran church in German township with Rev. Hesse as officiating pastor. Burial was by the side of the wife in the cemetery adjoining the church.

The pallbearers were John Frey, Ailt Beving, John H. Lindaman, John W. Lindaman, Menno VanLoh and John Beving.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 17 May 1934, pg 1