Doornwaard, John 1866-1929 and Alyda Rensink Family

DOORNWAARD, RENSINK, VANTHUL, HEUNINK

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 9/23/2021 at 03:18:11

Doornwaard, John 1866-1929 and Alyde Rensink Family

This story was taken from the Sioux Center Centennial book of 1991 page 321 and was submitted to the book by Harriet Doornwaard. 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.

John Doornwaard was born in Holland. He came to the United States in 1888 at 22 years of age, with his parents and a brother Bert. He worked as a hired hand on the farm and later married Alyda Rensink. They farmed until he developed a heart problem.

After they moved to town, he was constantly buying and selling houses, so they moved frequently. Their last home was built on 4th Ave. where Martin J. Moeller lives.

He was a very interesting conversationalist and could talk to anyone in spite of his Dutch accent. For years the bench behind the house was a gathering place where several neighbors gathered regularly to argue anything from politics to religion. He was an avid fisherman and they spent many months at Okoboji and Spirit Lake.

They had four children:

John Bart was born November 10, 1897. He attended business college in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. His banking career started in the First National Bank of Sioux Center, where he worked for one year for a salary of $10. a month. In 1916 he moved to Edgerton, MN where he was employed in a Bank. He became President of the Edgerton State Bank in 1955. He married Jennie Steunenberg on January 5, 1922. In 1952 she passed away and in 1959, he married Elsie Moeller Ott and moved to Pipestone, MN. He retired from the Bank in 1968, and he died on March 27, 1972.

Cena was born December 11, 1895. She worked as a clerk in a local dry goods store until her marriage to Albert Van Roekel, who died June 8, 1948. They had two sons. They farmed and operated a dairy — running a milk delivery route for some time. Cena passed away in 1975.

Tena was born June 4, 1900. She graduated from Central College in Pella, Iowa, and also attended the University of Wisconsin for a short time. She taught school in Sioux Center and Pella and was an outstanding Dramatics coach. After her marriage to Dr. Henry Van Roekel in San Francisco, CA, they lived in Amherst, Mass. where he was a Professor on the staff of the University of Massachusetts. He did research. She was a collector of antiques and their home was completely furnished with antiques. Upon his retirement, they moved to Pella, Iowa. He died March 6, 1982, and she died November 27, 1982. They are both buried in the Sioux Center cemetery. They left generous legacies to the State University of Iowa at Ames and to Central College in Pella, Iowa.

Gerrit was born August 18, 1908. He graduated from the University of Iowa at Iowa City receiving a Degree in Science of Commerce and a Law Degree. He died on March 3, 1973. (see separate family story.)

by Harriet Doornwaard

RESEARCH NOTES added by Wilma J. Vande Berg

BIRTH of Jan Doornwaard on 18 Sep 1866 at Oosteinde, Ermelo, Nunspeet, Gelderland Netherlands to Gerrit Doornwaard age 37 and Jannetje Van’t Hul age 26. www.wiewaswie.nl

BIRTH From ‘Find a Grave’ of Alyda Rensink, daughter of Antonie Rensink and Gezina Heunink was born 6 Dec 1873 at Sioux Center IA, died 6 May 1966 Sioux Center IA, children listed Jeziena Van Roekel, Ten Van Roekel, Gerrit Doornwaard, (also added son, John Doornwaard)

MARRIAGE – John Doornwaard 1866-1929 married Alyda Rensink 1873-1966 on 5 March 1895 at Sioux Center IA.

OBITUARY of John Doornwaard 1866-1929
JOHN DOORNEWAARD'S PASSING
A SHOCK TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS
John Doornewaard passed away Wednesday Nov 13, 1929 afternoon at about three o'clock, at the age of 63. Wednesday morning his condition had been so favorable that his recovery seemed certain and the two sons, John B. of Edgerton, Minn., and Gerrit, a student at Iowa University, departed for Edgerton and Iowa City. Soon after their departure, however, their father had a heart attack from which he could not recover. The two sons were recalled but did not arrive until after their father had passed on. Mrs. Henry Van Roekel of Amherst, Mass., who came with her husband a few weeks ago was at her father’s bedside.
Mr. Doornewaard is survived by his wife, Alyda and four children, namely, Mrs. Al Van Roekel of Sioux Center; John B. of Edgerton, Minn.; Mrs. Henry Van Roekel, Amherst;. Mass.; Gerrit, at College; and by two sisters, Mrs. Tony Bolluyt of Maurice and Mrs. John Vis of Hills, Minn. Funeral services were held at Central church on Saturday and a very large gathering was present to pay tribute to the memory of a highly regarded citizen and friend. Born in Holland and reared on the farm, John Doornewaard had little opportunity for education, but he possessed such innate ability, and such judgment that his advice was sought by many. He was widely read and well informed, having decided opinions and convictions on every subject. His friendly interest, reached out to all and he was a man whose friendship was highly valued. He will be greatly missed by many outside his immediate circle of family and friends.
Source: a local newspaper article shortly after Nov. 13, 1929.

OBITUARY of Alyda Mrs. John Doornwaard 1873-1966
Sioux Center News of May 12, 1966
Rites Held for Mrs. Alyda Doornwaard, 92
Funeral services were held at Central Heiormed Church here at 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 9, for Mrs. Alyda Doornwaard, 92, lifelong resident of the Sioux Center community, mother of Mrs. Albert Van Roekel and Gerrit Doornwaard of Sioux Center, who died at the Sioux Center Community hospital Friday.
She had-been a resident of the local Nursing Wing for the past several years.
Services were conducted by the Rev, Harry Brower, pastor of the First Reformed church, and burial was made in the Sioux Center Community cemetery under the direction of Vander Ploeg's Funeral home. A brief service was held at the Vander Ploeg Funeral chapel immediately preceding the service at the church.
Pallbearers were Gerrit Rensink, Anthony Rensink, Marinus Rensink, Gordon Van Roekel, Cornelius Rensink, and Lloyd Van Roekel.
Mrs. Doornwaard Alyda Rensink was born in Sioux Center December 6, 1873. She was married to John Doornwaard March 5, 1895. He preceded her in death November 13, 1929.
Survivors include four children, Cena, Mrs. Albert Van Roekel, of Sioux Center; John B. Doornwaard of Pipestone, Minn.; Tena, Mrs. Dr. Henry Van Roekel, of Amherst, Mass.; and Gerrit Doornwaard, of Sioux Center. Also suriviving here are four grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren; a half brother, William Rensink, of Sioux Center. Two brothers preceded her in death.
Mrs, Doornwaard was the oldest member of Central Reformed
Church.

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