De Weerd, Gerrit 1892-1966 & Anna Draayer Family

DEWEERD, DRAAYER, WIERDA, RIPHAGEN

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 9/14/2021 at 05:49:55

De Weerd, Gerrit 1892-1966 and Anna Draayer family

This story was taken from the Sioux Center Centennial book of 1991 pages 300 and 301 and was submitted to the book by Ethel and Johanna De Weerd. It was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw and some research notes were added by Wilma J. Vande Berg, both of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society.

Our grandfather, Aalt De Weerd, was born in Gelderland, the Netherlands, on July 18, 1843. He came to the United States with his parents in 1867. He met Ietje “Ida” Wierda, who was born in Rochester, NY on July 9, 1854. They were married at Holland, MI on March 3, 1874 and lived in Michigan for four years and then moved to a farm southwest of Sioux Center. They had twelve children: Henry, 1875-1909; John, 1876-1954; Minnie, 1879-1930; Maggie, 1881-?; Gertie, 1885-1980; Jane, 1887-1945; Nellie, 1890-1972; Gerrit, 1892-1966; Peter, 1900-1982; and three children who died in infancy.

Henry married Mary Schafer, John married Jennie Swart, Minnie married John Valentine, Maggie married Henry Schurman, Gertie married Luke Rons, Jane married Steve Burgers, Nellie married Luke Vollink, Gerrit married Anna Draayer, and Peter married Minnie Slob, and he later married Vida Wilmot. Vida is the only survivor and lives in Chippewa Falls, WI.

Aalt De Weerd farmed and later retired in Sioux Center, where they were members of the First Reformed Church. Aalt died in 1926 and Ida died in 1940.

Their son Gerrit (our father) married Anna Draayer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Draayer on Jan. 9, 1913. So Aalt and his wife moved to Sioux Center and son Gerrit moved on the farm. Later Gerrit purchased the farm at a public auction in Sept. 1926.

Gerrit and Anna had five children: Albert, 1913-1973; Minnie, 1916-1985; and Edward, 1924-26. Survivors are Ethel and Johanna who still live on the farm.

After our mom, Mrs. Gerrit De Weerd, died, the Rev. L.A. Brunsting came to be Pastor of the First Reformed Church. Rev. and Mrs. Brunsting came to Gerrit De Weerd and offered to take care of the little baby until she was older. But Dad had promised Mother he would keep the family together, so he had hired girls, but some only for a short time as they didn’t like caring for two babies, they said. So relatives and Grandma De Weerd helped a lot.

Gerrit De Weerd loved horses, so he had several and did a lot of trading. He also owned a big tractor and threshing machine, and had a big threshing ring by the neighbors.

Our brother Albert married the hired girl, Rose De Jager, daughter of Berend De Jager of Maurice, Iowa, on Sept. 2, 1935. They had three sons: Gilbert, Wayne and Rodney. They farmed by Alvord, Iowa. Albert died Sept. 7, 1973. Rose lives near Sioux Center.

Gilbert married Mildred Westra on Sept. 2, 1955. They farm near Ireton and Gilbert also drives a truck. They have five children: Glenda married Norman Kramer on Aug. 16, 1975, and they have three children: Alissa Gail, Daniel Gene and Michael Ryan. They farm by Hawarden. Arlin De Weerd married Marlene Wielenga on May 29, 1978 and they have three children: Angela Jean, Nathan Allen and Emily Ann. They farm by Ireton. Donna married Kenneth Bliek on May 21, 1962, and they live in Sioux City, Iowa, where Ken is a fireman and Donna a secretary. Marcia De Weerd married Larry Vander Stoep on Nov. 14, 1986. They have one son Jeffery Gene and they farm by Maurice. Gary De Weerd married Dawn Mulder on Aug. 23, 1985, and they have two children, Jennifer Marie and Jason Alan. They live by Ireton and Gary drives the PNM feed truck.

Wayne married Delma Van Marel on December 12, 1964. They farm near Sioux Center and they have four children: Donald De Weerd married Debra Kay Brummel on Sept. 26, 1987 and they live on Bacon Hill farm at Beaver Creek, Minnesota. Evan De Weerd married Sue Joy Van Peursem on July 8, 1989 and they farm by Orange City. Sons Terry and Jeffery are at home.

Rodney De Weerd married Joanne Vant Hul on June 8, 1973 and they live on an acreage south of Sioux Center. Rodney works for Co-op Gas in Sioux Center and Joanne is a secretary for the Bethel Christian Reformed Church. They have three children: Eric Jason who attends Western Christian High School, and Amy Ranae and Leah Danae who attend the Sioux Center Christian School.

by Ethel and Johanna De Weerd

RESEARCH NOTES – added by Wilma J. Vande Berg

Since much of the afore mentioned Aalt De Weerd and Ida Wierda family is given, some research has been added on them.

BIRTH of Gerrit De Weerd on 6 Oct 1892 at Maurice Iowa to Aalt Albert De Weerd 1843-1926 and Ietje ‘Ida’ Wierda 1854-1904

BIRTH of Anna ‘Annie’ Draayer on 10 Oct 1893 Orange City, Iowa to Jan ‘John T.’ Draayer 1859-1950 and Wilhelmina ‘Minnie’ Riphagen 1863-1951

They were married Jan 9, 1913 Sioux County IA.

OBITUARY – of Gerit De Weerd 1892-1966
Source: Sioux Center News (12-8-1966)
Born: October 6, 1892 Died: December 1966
FUNERAL SERVICE AT 1:30 FRIDAY FOR GERRIT DE WEERD
Funeral services will be held Friday, December 9, at 1 P.M. at the Vander Ploeg Chapel and 1:30 at the First Reformed Church of Sioux Center for Gerrit De Weerd, 74, who passed away Tuesday at his rural Maurice farm home.
Reverend Albert Ten Clay will officiate. Burial will be in the Sioux Center Cemetery under the direction of the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home. Mr. De Weerd was born October 6, 1892 and on January 9, 1913, was united in marriage to Anna Draayer. She died December 31, 1929.
Survivors include three daughters - Minnie, Ethel, and Johanna, all at home; one son, Albert, of Alvord, Iowa; three grandchildren; five great- grandchildren; three sisters - Mrs. Henry Schuurman of Montana, Mrs. Luke Rons of Boyden, Iowa, Mrs. Luke Vollink of Rock Valley, Iowa; one brother, Peter, of Chippewa Falls Wisconsin.
He was preceded by his wife, by one son, Edward, in 1926; two brothers and two sisters.
Those who wish to meet with the family may do so at the Vander Ploeg Chapel Thursday evening from 7 to 8 P.M.

OBITUARY of Anna Mrs. Gerrit De Weerd
DeWeerd, Anna Mrs. Gerrit De Weerd 1893-1929 buried in Memory Gardens Sioux Center IA.
In the Alton Democrat of Dec 27th 1929 she was seriously ill but was somewhat improved.
Alton Democrat of Jan 12, 1930
Mrs. Gerrit De Weerd passed away on Tuesday evening Dec 31st 1929 at the age of 36 years, two months and 20 days, after an illness of 30 days with pneumonia. Her maiden name was Miss Anna Draayer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Draayer of Orange City.
She was born at Orange City October 10, 1893 and at the age of 12years moved to Clear Lake SD with her parents and family. After six years the family returned to Sioux County and settled on a farm southwest of Sioux Center. On January 9, 1913 she was untied in marriage to Mr. Gerrit De Weerd and settled on the old home place of their parents.
Mr. and Mrs. A. De Weerd. Five children were born to them, one son Edward, having passed on April 28,1926, at the age of 2 years and four days. Surviving are husband and four children, Albert, Minnie, Ethel and baby Johanna only six weeks old, who mourn the separation from a dear wife and mother.
Beside the immediate family who survive are her parents Mr. and Mrs. John Draayer, mother-in law Mrs. A. De Weerd, seven brothers and 2 sisters namely Ben, John, Henry, Gerrit Draayer, Mrs. Sam Wynia, Chris and Bert Draayer, Miss Cynthia Draayer and Albert Draayer. Five sister and one brother passed on before her.
Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon in the First Ref. church in charge of Rev. Haverkamp, pastor of Central Ref. church. A mixed quartet furnished appropriate music. Interment was in the Sioux Center cemetery. A list of relatives followed.

OBITUARY of Aalt De Weerd 1843-1926 (Father of Gerrit De Weerd)
A. DE WEERD WELL KNOWN PIONEER GONE
Lived in Sioux County 47 Years
Aalt De Weerd, respected pioneer resident of Sioux Center, passed away at his home March 8th. Funeral services were held in the home and at the First Reformed church on Friday, with Rev. Lubbers in charge of the services.
Mr. De Weerd was born in the Netherlands in 1843 and July 18, 1926 would have been his 83rd birthday had he continued on this earth. As a young man he came with his parents to the United States, settling at Holland, Mich., where he was married 51 years ago to Miss Ida Wierda. Four years later the couple came to Sioux County, where they made their home on a farm southwest of Sioux Center for many years.
Twelve children were born to them. Three died in infancy and the eldest son, Henry died at the age of 33 years. Besides Mrs. De Weerd, eight children survive. They are John A. De Weerd of Perkins, Mrs. John Valentine of Doon, Mrs. Maggie Schurman of Drummond, Montana, Mrs. Lucas Rons of Boyden, Mrs. S. Burgers of Dell Rapids, S.D., Mrs. L. Vollink of Rock Valley, Gerrit on the home farm, Peter at Sioux Center. 46 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren also survive.
In 1915 Mr. and Mrs. De Weerd retired from the farm and moved to a home in Sioux Center, where they lived a quiet life, respected and honored by neighbors and friends. Mr. De Weerd was a devoted husband and father and lived a useful and active life. Many friends regret his passing and sympathize with the bereaved widow and children.
Source: Alton Democrat, March 19, 1926: Sioux Center Times.
The Sioux County Cemetery Index has De Weerd, Aalt, 1843-1926, ss letje [no capital letter], buried Memory Gardens, Sioux Center.

OBITUARY of Ida Mrs. Aalt De Weerd 1854-1940.
Early Settler Passes Away Here
Mrs. A. De Weerd, one of the early settlers of this community, passed away at her home last week Friday, March 1st, after a lingering illness. Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 5th, at the First Ref. Church, Rev. L. A. Brunsting officiating.
Mrs. De Weerd was born in New York in 1854, and attained the age of 86 years. She was preceded in death by her husband and five children, and is survived by seven children namely: Gerrit of Sioux Center, who is now farming the old home place; John A. who resides in Orange City; Mrs. Maggie Schuurman of Missoula, Mont.; Mrs. Steve Burggers, Colton, South Dakota; Mrs. Lukas Rons, Boyden; Mrs. Luke Vollink, Rock Valley. [Yes, only six were listed] There are forty-four grandchildren and eighty-five great grandchildren also surviving.
Source: Sioux Center News, March 7, 1940.
Her husband's obituary (Alton Democrat, March 19, 1926) shows her birth name to be Ida Wierda and his forename to be Aalt.

Sioux Biographies maintained by Linda Ziemann.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen