Brunsting, Lukas A. Rev. 1892-1947 & Maggie De Jong Family

BRUNSTING, DEJONG, TIMMERMAN, DEVRIES

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 9/10/2021 at 11:36:43

Brunsting, Rev Luke A. 1892-1947 and Maggie De Jong Family

This story was taken from the Sioux Center Centennial book of 1991 pages 267 and 268, submitted by author unknown. It was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw and some research notes were added by Wilma J. Vande Berg of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society.

Third Pastor of the 1st Ref. Church

Rev. Brunsting’s first years of marriage were in farming in Sioux County and later he established a business in Rock Valley. The continuing call to the ministry kept on being a major priority for him. Soon with his wife and two daughters he enrolled in the ninth grade and completed his High School education in three years. During his college days two sons were added to the family circle and again College education was completed in three years. Rev. Brunsting now moved with his family to Dubuque, Iowa and pursued a year of Philosophy at the University. The last three years of his formal training were at the Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan.

Rev. Brunsting was installed as the Third Pastor of the First Reformed Church in Sioux Center on Jan. 16, 1930 and during his fifth year of pastorate the overcrowded Church was enlarged to seat twelve hundred people. His duties as minister and pastor in the local church were wide and varied and many denominational responsibilities were given to him. Perhaps, some of the more critical years for him were when more than 100 boys of the church including his own two sons left for service in World War 2. His oldest son became the first casualty in Sioux County. Furloughing missionaries often found their Haven of Rest in his home. It was during his ministry the 70th anniversary of the church was celebrated.

Rev. Brunsting died suddenly on a Saturday morning at the age of 55 years. His prepared outline for the next morning’s service was on his desk that he had initialed — “Peace, perfect Peace.” Rev. Brunsting often shared these words of admonition to others — “Don’t just grope through life — walk erect — and walk with a purpose.”

RESEARCH NOTES added by Wilma J. Vande Berg

OBITUARY of Maggie Mrs. Rev. L. A. Brunsting 1889-1971
Funeral services were held at the First Reformed Church here at 10:30 A.M., Monday, February 22, for Mrs. L. A. Brunsting, 81, widow of a former pastor of First Reformed Church and longtime resident of Sioux Center, who died at the Sioux Center Community hospital February 18.
Services were conducted by the Rev. Jack Boerigter and burial was made in the Sioux Center Community cemetery under the direction of Vander Ploeg's Funeral Home.
Mrs. Brunsting, the former Maggie De Jong, was born at Orange City July 9, 1889, and grew up in Sioux County. She was married to the Rev. Mr. Brunsting March 2, 1913, at Hull. He served as pastor of the First Reformed Church here for 18 years (1930-1947) and passed away November 8, 1947.
Survivors include a son, Dr. Bernard Brunsting of Scarsdale, N.Y.; two daughters, Mrs. Art Vander Ploeg of Sioux Center and Mrs. Harlan Kneppe of Parkersburg, Iowa; three brothers, Herbert of Sioux Center, and Ben and Frank; two sisters, Mrs. Sue Vander Bok of California and Jennie De Jong of Sioux City.
Source: Sioux Center News, February 25, 1971

OBITUARY of Rev. Luke A. Brunsting 1892-1947

From the Sioux Center News of Nov 13, 1947.
Here is given just a brief part of the front page article on the death of Rev. Luke A. Brunsting
As a farmer age 24, with wife and two young daughters, and only and eighth grade education; exchanged the plow for a Book and a vision. He became the pastor of the First Reformed church in Sioux Center from 1930-1947. He and his wife Margaret DeJong are buried in the Sioux Center Cemetery.
Rev. L. A. Brunsting was suddenly called Home on Saturday morning, while preparing for his Sunday services. He was born on his father's farm in Welcome Township. As a young farmer with wife and child, the call to enter the Christian ministry was laid upon his soul. Although having assumed family responsibilities, Rev, and Mrs. Brunsting persevered the years of training, and he graduated from Western Theo. Seminary in 1926. He served for four years at Sully, Ia., after which he came to First Ref. Church of Sioux Center, Jan. 16, 1930. Through the long years of faithful and efficient service, he particularly endeared himself in the hearts of his congregation with his thoughtful visitations and development of Christian interest. He is survived by Mrs. Brunsting (nee Margaret De Jong), Frieda (Mrs. Art Vander Ploeg), Margaret (Mrs. Harlan Kneppe), and Bernard, ministerial student at Western Theological Seminary. There are seven grandchildren. His older son Lt. Albert Brunsting lost his life Jan. 3, 1943, in the European Theater. No more fitting words can be used in conclusion than the following lines from his "Forward Looking Faith" sermon, "Do not just grope through life, walk through it. Walk with a purpose."

RESEARCH NOTES:

Ancestry.com has a famlly report that was submitted by others and has not been verified by me, but does appear to be basically correct.

Lukas A. Brunsting was born 18 Feb 1892 Hull Iowa died 8 Nov 1947 Sioux Center IA. His parents were Albert Lucas Brunsting 1851-1924 and Margie Timmerman 1856-1924 He was married 2 Mar 1913 at Hull IA.

He married Maggie Margaret De Jong born 9 Jul 1889 Orange City IA and died 18 Feb 1971 Sioux Center IA. Her parents were Berend ‘Ben’ Rommerts de Jong 1855-1927 and Fokeltje ‘Frances’ Gerbens De Vries 1858-1945.

Their children were – Frieda June Brunsting 1914-2000, Margaret Brunsting 1917, Albert Brunsting 1918-1943 (died WW11), and Bernard Robert Brunsting 1922-2001.

Sioux Biographies maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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