Den Beste, Fred 1884-1967 & Kate Balkema Family

DENBESTE, BALKEMA, VANTOL, VANROOYEN

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 9/15/2021 at 04:27:55

Den Beste, Fred and Katherine ‘Kate’ Balkema Family

This story was taken from the Sioux Center Centennial Book of 1991 page 306 and was submitted by Esther Wiese and Gwen Van Wechel. It was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw and some research items were added by Wilma J. Vande Berg; both of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society.

The oldest child of Nicholas and Clara Balkema was their daughter Katherine “Kate”, who was born in Newkirk, Iowa, September 27, 1887. In March 1893 the family moved to Sioux Center where her father continued in the general merchandise business. Kate graduated from high school in 1904.

On September 25, 1907, Kate married William Frederick Den Beste. He was born on a farm west of Newkirk to Mr. and Mrs. James Den Beste on May 16, 1884. The family later moved to Orange City and some years later they moved to Clara City, Minnesota, where Fred attended high school. In April 1899 he came to Sioux Center and was employed in the Balkema Store. That same year his parents, four younger brothers, and a sister moved to Yakima, Washington.

After his father-in-law retired in 1941, Fred operated a dry goods and linoleum store of his own located in the west part of the Balkema Store, until his retirement in 1956. His wife Kate worked part time. Clayton Balkema, employed in his father’s store, also worked for Fred.

In the fall of 1946 the Ronald Wiese family moved from Pipestone, Minnesota to Sioux Center and Ron started working in his father-in-law’s store. After the business was sold to Francis Kosters, Ron then worked for him.

Fred was a member of the town council for 22 years and for many years belonged to the fire department. Kate was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Central Reformed Church, Legion Auxiliary, Women’s Club and Ladies Circle.

Because of Kate’s health, they moved to Orange City in 1961 to live near their daughter, Mrs. Kenneth Van Wechel. Kate passed away February 27, 1965 and Fred October 12, 1967. They are buried in the Sioux Center cemetery.

Fred and Kate were the parents of Alice, Gwen, Esther, and Mildred. Alice was born November 25, 1908 and died November 2, 1926, during her senior year of high school. The other daughters graduated from high school.

Gwen (Mrs. Kenneth Van Wechel) was born November 28, 1910. After her marriage, she lived in Orange City. Her husband passed away April 17, 1966, in Orange City and is buried there. Their children are Mary Sandbulte of Sioux Center, Paul of Cherokee, and David of Orange City. Gwen lives in Sioux Center.

Esther (Mrs. Ronald Wiese) was born August 27, 1918. Esther, Ronald, and daughter Kathryn Ann lived in Sioux Center from 1946-1958. Esther and Mrs. Paul Muyskens started the first story hour in the library. She sang in the choir at Central Reformed Church and also taught Sunday School. She was a member of Women’s Club, served a term as president, and taught in the local junior high from 1955-1958. Ron was on the baseball team and the Yellow Jackets softball team. For a number of years he served as Scout Master with Vernon Mouw. In 1958 the Wieses moved to Manson, Iowa, where they both taught school. After three years Ron became junior high principal and later on was middle school principal. Kathy lives in the Boston area.

Mildred (Mrs. Kenneth Jensen) was born July 27, 1921 and passed away August 28, 1962 in Winona, Minnesota. Their daughter Virginia passed away February 20, 1965. They are buried in the Sioux Center cemetery. Kenneth passed away October 14, 1983 in Winona and is buried in Ellendale, Minnesota. Their children all live in Winona and are as follows: Susan Davis, Scott, twins Julie (Mrs. Daniel Samann), Janice (Mrs. Mark Erwin) and Lee.

by Esther Wiese and Gwen Van Wechel

RESEARCH NOTES – added by Wilma J. Vande Berg

ANCESTRAL HISTORY - Recorded from www.ancestry.com (family report was submitted by other family members)

Frederick ‘Fred’ William Den Beste born 16 May 1884 Newkirk, Iowa, Married 25 Sep 1907 Sioux Center IA to Katherine ‘Kate’ Balkema died October 12,1967 Sioux Center Iowa . His parents were Jacobus Jan ‘James’ Hendrik Den Beste born 14 Oct 1846 Spijk, Zuid Holland Netherlands died 10 Jun 1935 Yakima, Washington; and Adaline ‘Alida’ Van Tol born (1900 census gives birth Dec 1854 Iowa, the 1925 Iowa census lists birth as 1852 Netherlands) died 2 Mar 1939 Yakima Washington.

Katherine ‘Kate’ Balkema was born 27 Sep 1887 Newkirk IA, married 25 Sep 1907 Sioux Center Iowa, died 27 Feb 1965 Sioux Center Iowa. Her parents were Nicholas Balkema born 7 Apr 1865 Gibbsville, Sheboyan Wisconsin; and Klazina ‘Clara’ Van Rooyen born 26 Jul 1867 Pella Iowa died 30 Dec 1954 Sioux Center IA.

Children listed were – Katherine ‘Kate’ Balkema 1887-1965; Walter Balkema 1888-1958; Jeanette ‘Jennie’ Balkema 1892-1934; Florence Mabel Balkema 1896-1995; Raymond Peter Balkema 1900-1979; Clayton Nick Balkema 1906-1982 and Clara Lucille Balkema 1908-2007.

OBITUARY of Fred Den Beste 1884-1967
Sioux Center News Oct 19, 1967
Funeral services were held at Central Reformed church here at 1:30 p. m. Saturday for Fred Den Beste, 83, retired Sioux Center businessman, and a resident of Orange City the past five years, who died at his home in Orange City early Thursday, October 12, of a heart ailment.
Services were conducted by the Rev, Albert Ten Clay and burial was made in Sioux Center Community cemetery under the direction of Vander Ploegs Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Sam P. Schut, George DeRuyter, Ted Hanson, John G, Den Herder, Neal DeWit and Ray Van Deest.
Mr. Den Beste was born May 16, 1884, on a farm west of Newkirk. Later his family moved to Orange City where he attended school. Some years later the family moved to Clara City, Minn., where he attended high school Mr. Den Beste was in the Fred Den Beste merchandising business in Sioux Center for 56 years prior to retirement in 1955, when he sold his store-here to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Kosters. He was associated with Nick Balkema for 40 years and operated his own drygoods and linoleum store for 16 years.
He was a member of the Sioux Center city council and fire department for 22 years. The Den Bestes were active members of Central Reformed church for almost 50 years.
He was married to Kate Balkema September 25, 1907. She preceded him in death in 1965. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Kenneth (Gwen) Van Weshel of Orange City and Mrs. Ronald (Esther) Wiese of Manson, Iowa; four brothers, Isaac, Cornie, Harry and James and a sister, Mrs. Elmer (Marie) Middling, all of Yakima, Wash, , nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren,
Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by two daughters, Alice and Mildred (Mrs, Kenneth Jensen) and at granddaughter, Virginia Jensen, and several step-sisters and stepbrothers.
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OBITUARY of Kate Mrs. Fred Den Beste 1887-1965
Alton Democrat March 4, 1965
Sioux Center, Iowa: Funeral
Services for Mrs. Fred (Kate) Den Beste, 77, longtime Sioux Center resident who died Saturday at the Orange City hospital, will be at 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday at the Central Reformed church here. The Rev. Marion Klaaren will officiate. Burial will be in the Sioux Center Community Cemetery under the direction of the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home.
Mrs. Den Beste was born Sept. 27, 1887, at Newkirk, Iowa. She was married to Fred Den Beste Sept. 25. 1907, at Sioux Center. The couple had lived here since their marriage until three years ago when they retired and moved to Orange City to live with a daughter.
Survivors include the widower: two daughters, Mrs. Kenneth Van Wechel of Orange City and Mrs. Ronald Wiese of Manson, Iowa; two sisters, Mrs. Peter B. Mouw of Sioux Center and Mrs. Eardley Shuetz of Lincoln. Neb.; two brothers,
Raymond Balkema of Burlington, Iowa, and Clayton Balkema of Cherokee, Iowa, nine grandchildren and four great-grandsons

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