Kooistra-Brand

KOOISTRA, OLIVIER, BRAND, VERHUEL, SCHMIDT, REYNOLDS, VANDE KROL, VAN GENDEREN, RENAUD, VAN WYK, DEBEOF, ROZENDAAL, VANDER WILT

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 8/6/2009 at 12:02:23

From: Lynnville Centennial Book (1875-1975)
Newton Public Library

WIETZE W. KOOISTRA

Wietze W. Kooistra, son of Wietze Kooistra and Baukje Olivier Kooistra, was born on November 23, 1879, in Friesland, a province in Holland, and came to America with his parents at the age of 11. On January 17, 1905, he married Catherine Brand, the daughter of Jacob and Jane Verhuel Brand. Catherine was born November 23, 1883.

They started housekeeping in the Taylor neighborhood and later bought the farm north of Lynnville from Everett Willemsen. Their son, Bernard Kooistra, lives on the farm at the present time.

Nine children were born to this family. One daughter, Frances Lucille, died in infancy. The remaining children were: Lenora, who was married to Francis J. Schmidt and later to Floyd Reynolds; Edna married John Vande Krol; Bernard, married Nelle Van Genderen; Sylvia, married Clarence Renaud; Frances, married Wilburn Van Wyk; Velma, married Arthur W. DeBeof; Virgil, married Leola Rozendaal; and David, married Pauline Vander Wilt.

Sylvia and Velma both graduated from Lynnville High School and taught in rural schools. Howard Macy, a faculty member at the Lynnville High School, made it possible for Velma to continue her high school education by making arrangements for her to stay with an elderly lady, Mrs. Anna Doane. Velma later became a missionary in Africa and South America.

Wietze was seriously injured when a team of horses took off suddenly and crushed his leg between a spreader and a post of a hog shed. Gangrene developed and he died five days later, on April 19, 1925.

The family was well known for their musical talents. The father was advised while young that he should pursue a musical career.

Catherine Kooistra passed away on August 21, 1972, at the age of 89.