FREERKS, Trienje (Garrels) 1886- 1943

FREERKS, GARRELS

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/30/2009 at 11:41:59

Funeral Services for Mrs. Martin Freerks were conducted Wednesday afternoon, August 4, 1943 at the home, followed by services at the Hope Reformed church, Rev. Herman Rosenberg officiating. Burial was made at the country cemetery beside the church. Casket bearers were the four sons, a son-in-law and a nephew, namely Cpl. John Freerks, Pfc. Theodore Freerks, Harm Freerks, Louis Freerks, Henry Korthals and Theodore Geerdes.

Mrs. Martin Freerks, nee Trientje Garrels, born June 12, 1886, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Garrels, together with her brother and for sisters, spent their youth on a farm south of George. On February 26, 1908 she was united in marriage to Martin Freerks. Their wedded life was the origin of eight children, all living. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Mrs. Louis A. Hildebrands.

Although afflicted for years with high blood pressure and a weakened heart, Mrs. Freerks carried on a very active life and was known to all as a very thrifty and diligent housekeeper, a loyal wife and a loving mother. During her 35 years of wedded life, she willingly and efficiently bore her share of labor whenever occasions presented themselves, whether for her family or at church or in community welfare.

In March of 1940, the family moved to George where they resided at the time of her sudden death, Friday evening, July 30, 1943 between 6 and 7 p.m. as she was busy with the evening chores out of doors. A daughter, Martha, employed at J. A. Jensen’s shore, had come home for the evening and after realizing her mother had been out of the house longer than she thought necessary, she felt the urge to investigate. Coming upon her mother’s already lifeless body in one of the barns, she summoned a doctor, but death had claimed its own, a mother 57 years old.

Those mourning her sudden departure are her husband, Martin Freerks, and children, Harm Freerks of Little Rock, Iowa, Helen of Applington, Iowa, Pfc. Theodora, in the army at Camp Pickett, Virginia, Cpl. John, in the army at new Orleans, Louisiana, Elsie, Mrs. Henry Korthals of near Boyden, Iowa, Martha and Kathryn at home and Louis of Artesia, California. She leaves a brother, Harm Garrels of Little Rock, Iowa and three sisters, Mrs. August Pannuk of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Mrs. Dick Geerdes and Mrs. Harm Groen, both of George. There are six grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

(Lyon County Reporter, August 5, 1943)