TJADEN, Ralph U. (1905-1985)

TJADEN, HOPKES, DEBOER, RIKKERS, HEIKENS, SPITZER, SCHUTTER

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society (email)
Date: 7/26/2013 at 12:38:06

Ralph Tjaden
1905 - 1985

Services for Ralph U. Tjaden, 80 of Britt, who died Thursday, Nov. 14 at a Mason City hospital, were held November 18 at 10:30 a.m. at the Christian Reformed Church in Britt with Rev. Verlyn Vandertop officiating.

Music was provided by Mrs. Ernest Van Weelden, organist, and soloist Mrs. Pete Leuwerke. Ushers were Pete K. Leuwerke, Brian Baker and Ken Vanderhoek.

Casket bearers were Greg Spitzer, Henry D. Rikkers, William Ridders, Dave Whitehurst, Scott Tjaden and Randall Heikens. Interment was in Christian Reformed Church Cemetery.

Ralph Ubbe Tjaden, the son of Jelle and Anna (Hopkes) Tjaden, was born June 5, 1905 near Titonka. He was baptized at the Ramsey Reformed Church near Titonka. He received his education at the Bingham Township Rural School and graduated from the Crystal Lake High School. He was confirmed in marriage with Esther DeBoer on February 24, 1930, at the Woden Christian Reformed Church. The couple made their home on a farm north of Wesley, for 31 years before moving to Britt in 1961.

Ralph was a member of the Britt Christian Reformed Church and had served on the Church Board and was a Sunday School teacher. He was a township trustee, served on the Titonka School board, board of directors of the Wesley Exchange State Bank, director of the Hancock County Historical Society and the Britt Senior Citizens.

He is survived by his wife Esther of Britt; a daughter Betty and husband Henry Rikkers of Sioux Center; a son Kenneth and wife Marilyn of Des Moines; a daughter Mary and husband Roger Heikens of Spencer; a son Paul and wife Marilyn of Wesley; a daughter Nancy and husband Paul Spitzer of Mesa, Az.; 16 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; three sisters: Mrs. Bonno (Ellien) Schutter of Titonka, Margreete Tjaden of Garner, Anna Tjaden of Charles City; three brothers: Rev. William Tjaden of Clarksville, Rev, Reuben Tjaden of Cedar Rapids, Rev. George and his wife Marian Tjaden of Minneapolis; and sister-in-law Mrs. Stephen (Alma) Tjaden of Buffalo Center.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Stephen and Ben and one sister, Sena Kramer.

source: Garner Leader & Signal 27 Nov 1985