MAK, Wilhelmina (Hoffs) 1874-1915

MAK, HOFFS, JANSINA, SIPMA, FORMAN, SHERMAN

Posted By: K.L. Kittleson
Date: 12/20/2012 at 18:23:38

FUNERAL OF MRS. J. W. Mak

The funeral of the late Mrs. John W. Mak, whose sudden death was mentioned last week, was held from the Methodist Episcopal Church Saturday afternoon following a brief prayer at the home. The church was filled to overflowing with the friends and neighbors, and a great floral offering attested the esteem in which the good woman was held. Services were conducted by Rev. J. B. Walker, pastor of the church, and interment was in Riverview Cemetery.

Mrs. Wilhelmina Mak was the daughter of Adolph and Henrietta Hoffs, one of a family of eleven children, only four of whom survive her: Henry Hoffs, New Kirk; Mrs. Johanna Jansina, Hospers; Mrs. Richard Sipma, Motte, N. D.; and Mrs. Ella Forman of Carnes.

Her parents, who migrated from the Netherlands, made their home in Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, where she was born June 13, 1874, lacking at the time of her death, sixteen days of having reached her forty-first milestone.

When she was six years old the family removed to Sioux County where she made her home until united in marriage to Mr. J. W. Mak, on June 9, 1892.

Mr. and Mrs. Mak began their marriage life at Sheldon, where they resided for nearly a year, then a year in Hospers, and three years at Orange City. In the spring of 1897 they removed to Rock Valley, where they lived for eleven years. This was followed by a residence of two years at Inwood when, in March, 1910, they came to Rock Rapids.

Seven children have blessed this household with the passing years: Mrs. Carolyn Sherman, Inwood; Evelyn, Frank, Esther, Ruth, Wilhelmina, and little Judson, who with their father are grief stricken this day beyond measure.

Mrs. Mak had been apparently in her usual good health. She prepared the family meal Wednesday evening and also partook of it heartily.

At 12:30 she called her husband. She felt she was suffocating. For two nights she had experienced some difficulty with breathing, but it did not seem sufficiently serious to consult a physician. It was attributed to the miserable weather which we have been experiencing. On this occasion, she seemed to realize the seriousness of her condition and declared she was going to die. Mr. Mak and Frank helped her to the window that she might be able to breath more freely. Despite the protests of the family, the seriousness of her condition pressed hard upon her that death was approaching. Three times in all she declared the end was near. :Oh no, mother," exclaimed her husband, and kissed her. Almost immediately while still in his arms, she ceased to breath.

In there fifteenth year Mrs. Mak joined the Dutch Reform Church, later affiliating with the United Presbyterian Church, and upon her removal to this place, she with other members of the family joined the Methodist church, in whose societies she was always an active worker, and one who could be depended upon at all times to do her work well and faithfully. She was a most estimable woman, a kind and considerate wife and mother. A lover of home and family, she was still an ideal neighbor and was beloved by all with whom she was acquainted. The untimely death is deeply deplored by all and the sincere sympathy of all goes out to the lonely husband and motherless children.

[Rock Rapids Reporter, Thursday, June 3, 1915, Rock Rapids, Iowa] (Credit: S. Bell)
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NOTES:

Burial: Riverview Cemetery, Rock Rapids, Lyon County, Iowa. Plot: Block 10 Lot 103 Space 03

(Credit: Rob Minteer)