Den Herder, Gerrit E. 1878-1969 & 'Janna' Te Grotenhuis

DENHERDER, TEGROTENHUIS, KLEUVERS

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 9/15/2021 at 05:13:37

Den Herder, Gerrit E. 1878-1969 & Hattie Te Grotenhuis Family (aks Janna Henrietta)

This story was taken from the 1991 Sioux Center Centennial book of 1991 pages 308 and 309, and was submitted to the book by John H. and Daisy (Heynen) Den Herder. It was transcribed for this BOIS by Beth De Leeuw and some research notes were added by Wilma J. Vande Berg both of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society.

Gerrit Eibert Den Herder, son of Eibert and (Wilmina Kleuvers) Den Herder was born March 16, 1878 and died in 1969 at age 90 of old age — he was a healthy man all his life, and able to drive his car. He also lived alone and was able to care for himself. He was a life long resident of Sioux Center, Iowa and a well known figure in the community. June 15, 1905 he was united in marriage to Janna Hendreika (Hattie) Te Grotenhuis, daughter of John W. and (Janna Kleuvers) Te Grotenhuis. She was born in 1866 [correction 1885] in Sioux Center, and spent all her life there. Hattie passed away in April, 1952 of cancer at age 66. To this union 8 children were born, 6 of whom are still living (1989). The children, in-laws and descendants are as follows:

1906 — Alyda Wilmina (Mrs. Al De Vries), 4 children and 2 sons in-law, 1 daughter in-law. Two sons in-law died (accident and cancer). Ten grandchildren and 5 in-law grandchildren.

1908 — Elmer (Eibert Hannes) married (Christine Vreeman), he died in 1978 of cancer. Six children and 4 in-law children, 17 grandchildren and 5 in-law grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, 2 sons died at ages 22 and 41 years of age (farm accident and cancer).

1911 — John Henry, married (Daisy Heynen) 6 children and 5 in-law children. One son died at 4 years of age (drowning accident), 15 grandchildren and 5 in-laws. Two grandchildren died at ages 11 months and 19 years (respiratory problems and car accident). Seven great grandchildren.

1913 — Gordon James married (Ella Vreeman) 1 daughter and 1 son-in-law, 8 grandchildren and 6 in-laws, 5 great grandchildren.

1919 — Alvin Eugene married (Kathryn Feekes), 4 children and 4 in-law children and 10 grandchildren.

1923 — Jeane died in 1927 of pneumonia.

1925 — Kenneth Wayne married (Elizabeth De Jong), 4 children and 3 in-laws, 8 grandchildren.

1929 — Janice Alene (Mrs. James Sandbulte) 8 children and 5 in-law children, 19 grandchildren, 1 infant died.

All the children lived in Sioux Center all their life except Janice who lives in Luverne, Minnesota. Gerrit also had 3 sisters, Jennie, Mrs. Wm. Vande Brake, Winnie, Mrs. Gerrit Colenbrander and Mrs. Dreis Pap who died in childbirth.

Eibert and Hannes Den Herder, brothers, who came from Gelderland, Netherlands, after living in Wisconsin for a while, came to Sioux County in 1871, by covered wagon from Pella, Iowa. They immigrated from Gelderland with many other pioneers who wanted a better life spiritually and economically. Gerrit’s father, Eibert, married (Wilmina Kleuvers) and Hannes remained a bachelor and lived with his brother and family all his life. They homesteaded on 80 acres of land at the south outskirts of south Sioux Center and Highway 75. They settled on an 80 acre prairie tree claim and lived for a time in a large dug out on the border of two 80 acre plots. A sod hut was built and later a wooden house. In 1910 Gerrit built a large cement block home, of which he made the blocks himself. Gerrit’s father passed away in 1907 and by then Gerrit was of an age to take over the operation of the farm and did so. They retired and moved into town when their oldest son Elmer was married, who took over the farm. (Story elsewhere.) Gerrit and Hattie were members of the First Reformed Church, organized in 1877, at that time called “Ref. Church of West Branch.” Gerrit became a deacon in 1914 and served 30 years. Hattie was a charter member of the Women’s Senior Missionary Society and was a consecrated and faithful member. Her life was centered in the Word of God, her home, family and church. She was also an active member of the WCTU. Hattie was a busy mother with a large family, mostly boys. John is thankful for his Christian upbringing. Gerrit was charter member of a board of 7 men who organized “Farmers Merchant Bank” in 1913, later named Sioux Center State Bank. A new bank was built in 1918. In 1934 (depression years) the charter was moved to Rock Valley and named “Valley State Bank.” The Sioux Center bank building now belongs to the city. Gerrit was charter member of Farmer’s Co-op Elevator and Lumberyard, which was founded in 1907, he helped build the lumberyard. In his youth he attended the Orange City Classical Academy, which was founded by Rev. Bolks. Gerrit made many trips with his bicycle and took part in a race that made him “Sioux County Champion.” Gerrit was also a Sioux County Trustee (now called Supervisor).

Submitted to the book by John H. and Daisy (Heynen) Den Herder

RESEARCH NOTES: added by Wilma J. Vande Berg

ANCESTRAL HISTORY - mostly taken from a family report on ancestry.com which was submitted by other family members, however, not verified by this submitter.
See www.iagenweb.org/sioux to see obituaries of some ancestors another generation back from those listed herein.

Gerrit Eibert Den Herder was born 16 March 1878 Sioux Center IA married 15 Jun 1905 Sioux Center Iowa to Janna Hendrietta Te Grotenhuis, he died 2 Jan 1968 Sioux Center Iowa. His parents were Eibert H. Den Herder born 26 Nov 1839 Doornspijk, Elburg, Gelderland, Netherlands died 1 Jan 1907 Sioux Center IA and Alyda Wilhelmina Kleuvers born 19 Aug 1854 Winterswijk, Netherlands, died 25 Jan 1925 Sioux Center Iowa.

Janna Hendrietta Te Grotenhuis was born 28 Dec 1885 Sioux Center IA died Apr 1952 Sioux Center IA. Her parents were Jan ‘John’ Willem Te Grotenhuis born 11 Jan 1833 Aalten Gelderland, Netherlands died 25 Jun 1921 Sioux Center Iowa and Janna Hendrika Kleuvers born 23 Mar 1850 Winterswijk, Gelderland, Netherlands and died 8 May 1939 Sioux Center IA.

Children listed in report were – Alydia Wilmina Den Herder 1906-2001, Elmer H. Den Herder 1908-1978, John Henry Den Herder 1911-2003, Gordon James Den Herder 1913-1998, Alvin Eugene Den Herder 1919-2007, Jeane Henrietta Den Herder 1923-1928, Kenneth Wayne Den Herder 1925-2001 and Janice Aleen Den Herder 1929-2019.

OBITUARY of Gerrit Eibert Den Herder 1878-1969
Sioux Center News of Jan 9, 1969
Funeral Services Held Here Monday For City's Oldest Native Resident Funeral services were held at the First Reformed church here at 10:30 a. m. Monday, January 6, for Gerrit E. Den
Herder, 90, retired farmer and life-long resident of Sioux Center community, who died at the Sioux Center Community hospital Thursday following an illness of a few weeks duration.
He was the oldest native resident of the community at the time of his passing. 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.
Mr. Den Herder was born in Sioux Center March 16, 1878, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Eibert Den Herder. He attended Sioux Center public schools and Northwestern Academy at Orange
City. Mr. Den Herder was married to Jana Henretta Te Grotenhuis June 16, 1905
He farmed at the south edge of Sioux Center until retiring in 1931. His wife preceded him in death in 19S2 Survivors include two daughters. Mrs Albert De Vries of Sioux Center
and Mrs. James Sandbulte of Luverne, Minn., five sons, Elmer. John, Gordon, All of Sioux Center, 30 grand and 30 great grandchildren.

OBITUARY of Janna Henrietta Mrs. Gerrit Den Herder 1886-1952 (AKS-Hendrieka ‘Hattie’)
Hull Index of May 8, 1952
Funeral services were held at the First Reformed Church at Sioux Center on Thursday afternoon, May 1, for Mrs. Gerrit Den Herder, 66, who passed away early Monday morning at the Community Hospital, following an illness due to cancer.
Mrs. Den Herder, nee – Janna Henrietta Te Grotenhuis, was born on a farm near Sioux Center and spent her entire life in this immediate vicinity. On June 15, 1905 she was united in marriage to Gerrit Den Herder, who now survives her, with the following seven children — Alyda (Mrs Albert De Vries), Elmer, John, Gordon, Alvin and Kenneth, all of Sioux Center and Janice (Mrs. James Sandbulte) of Maurice. She is further survived by 22 grandchildren, two brothers, William Te Grotenhuis of Oakland, California, and John Te Grotenhuis of Jefferson, Iowa; and two .sisters, Lena (Mrs. Herman Peelen) and Sara (Mrs. John G. Van Roekel) both of Sioux Center She was preceded in death by a daughter, Jeane, who passed away at the age of 5 years, her father, who died June 25, 1921, and her mother, who died May 8, 1939. "Also" a sister, Anna (Mrs. C. Punt) and a brother, Gerrit Te Grotenhuis
Funeral services were held at the home and at the church with Rev. P. A. De Jong officiating. A
quartet, composed of Andrew and Harvey Vermeer, Mrs. Gerald Nettinga and Mrs. Gerald Schut sang two favorite hymns What A Friend We Have In Jesus, and Building for Eternity.
Burial took place at the Community cemetery and six nephews served" as pallbearers. The Women’s Missionary Society, of which she had been a very faithful member for many years attended services.

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