William Elgersma (1869-1951)

ELGERSMA, VANHEITSMA, SYBESMA, NAVIS, DEBOER, TABEEST, VISSER, WIERHAM, VANVLIET

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 2/15/2017 at 16:32:03

WILLIAM ELGERSMA

William Elgcrsma passed away Thursday, December 13, 1951 at the Sheldon hospital where he was taken the day before. Mr. Elgersma had been failing in health but able to get around some until on Friday he became ill while visiting in the home of his son, Dick. He was put to bed there and cared for but Monday when the folks were out of the room a few minutes, he fell out of bed and fractured his hip. He was taken on Wednesday to the hospital but the shock proved too great for his weakened body and death came to him the next day.

William Elgersma, son of Harry and Maggie Van Heitsma Elgersma, was born July 13, 1869 in the province of Friesland, The Netherlands, and lived to be 82 years and five months of age.

He grew up in Friesland and on April 29, 1894 was united in marriage to Jantje Sybesma. Their six children were born in The Netherlands and all survive the father. They are Harry W. Elgersma, of Hartley; Effie, Mrs. Ed Navis, of Waupun, Wise; Maggie, Mrs. Chas. DeBoer, Sibley; Sam Elgersma, Sanborn; Ray Elgersma, Sheldon, and Dick Elgersma, Sanborn.
In 1912 they came to the United States. They went first to Orange City and after one year there came to the Sanborn community and Mr. Elgersma had lived here ever since. He farmed until about 15 years ago he retired and he and his wife moved to town.

His helpmate passed away December 8, 1942 and since that time Mr. Elgersma had made his home in the homo of his son, Sam.
Mr. Elgersma was one of a family of twelve children, but he was the last to pass on. He and three of his brothers came to this country and settled in this vicinity. There were Harry, Nick and Jake, who all went on ahead of him.

Besides his children, he is survjved by 29 grandchildren and 43 great grandchildren. He was a life long member, of the Christian Reformed church and served on the Sanborn church consistory for a number of years. He was active in the church work until his health, began to fail about ten years ago.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday afternoon in the Christian Reformed church by the pastor, Rev. G. Postma. Casket bearers were six grandsons: Jake H. and William Elgersma of Saborn, Gerrit and Wesley Navis of Waupun, Wisc., Frank DeBoer of Lake Park, and William DeBoer of Sibley. Burial was in Roseland cemetery.

Relatives from away attending the services included: Mr. and MRs. Jas. TaBeest, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Visser, all of Waupun, Wisc.; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Wierham, Rock Rapids; Mr. and Mrs. Frank DeBoer, Lake Park; Mra. and Mrs. Chas. DeBoer, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Elgersma and daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Elgersma, and Mra. and Mrs. Stanley VanVliet and Jerry of Sheldon.
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In Appreciation We extend our sincere thanks to all the many friends and neighbors for their kind assistance and expressions of sympathy at the time of our father's illness and passing. These kindnesses have meant much to us. —The William Elgersma Children
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Sanborn Pioneer, Dec 20, 1951, pp1,12