REEMSMA, Jacob A, Sr. 1889-1930

REEMTSMA, RUST

Posted By: Lynn Reemtsma (email)
Date: 1/18/2004 at 19:50:03

Obituary of Jacob A. Reemtsma, Sr.
From the Lyon County News of George, Iowa, May, 1930

Jacob A. Reemtsma Sr. of George, Iowa, passed away after a long siege of sickness on May 20, 1930. The funeral services were conducted Friday afternoon, May 23, at the Second German Baptist Church of George, Iowa, and his remains were laid to rest in the Evergreen Cemetery.

Mr. Reemtsma was born on Ausut 17, 1863 at Groothusen, Ostfriesland, Germany. He died May 20, 1930 at his home in George, Iowa at the age of 66 years, 9 months and 3 days. In 1889 he moved to Nobles County, Minnesota and lived for several years near Adrian. In 1893 he moved to Rushmore, Minnesota and lived there for sixteen years. He and his family moved to Lyon County, east of Rock Rapids in 1909. He lived the quiet, yet active, the free and independent life of the farmer and lived on the farm until the spring of 1928 when he retired to George, Iowa. With God's blessing and with care and industry he did his bit to improve the lands of Lyon County.

He was married on March 22, 1889 to Flora Rust, daughter of Harm and Johanna Rust. Eight children were born to this union: Archie, Theodore and Jake of Rock Rapids; Herman and Florence, of George; Jennie, now Mrs. Lucas Vust, of Little Rock; Ella of Chicago, Illinois; William of Dallas, Texas. His wife and the eight children survive him. They mourn him deeply for his unselfish service and fatherly care and noble conduct that won him the sincere love and respect of his family.

While living at Rushmore, Minnesota he received the assurance that he was a child of God, and was baptized and became a member of the First German Baptist Church of George, Iowa. He later changed his membership to the Second Baptist Church of George. He served this church as deacon and treasurer for 15 years, and filled these offices as one who felt it a privilege and honor because of his high estimate of the church of the Living God. Though of an enterprising spirit which always urged him to do something worthwhile, he felt his life to be divinely directed and that he was but fulfilling his part of God's great plan in the universe. In his relation to God he felt he was a sinner redeemed by grace. He was never ashamed to witness to the saving power of God. The faith he professed in life grew brighter as his suffering became more severe and the nearer his end approached. His devoted wife and a number of his children stood at his bedside as he quietly passed away.

Mrs. Reemtsma and children, his brothers and sisters, Tido of Rock Rapids, Harm and Aielt (Archie), of Aplington, Iowa, Mrs. Harm Rust, of Goodell, Iowa, and Mrs. Henry Rust, of Adrian, Minnesota, and the host of relatives and friends who were all present at the funeral, now mourn his departure, not as one laid low in the grave, but as one being present with the Lord. A large number of relatives, friends and neighbors came from far and near to pay their last tribute to the departed one who had for years been their highly respected neighbor and much loved friend.