Franken, Gerrit 1891-1984 & Gertie Bosch Family

FRANKEN, BOSCH, SCHOEP, VANDEPOL, BERKHOFF, DEGROOT

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 9/27/2021 at 06:46:59

Franken, Gerrit 1891 and Gertje ‘Gertie’ Bosch Family

This story was taken from the Sioux Center Centennial book of 1991 page 340 and was submitted to the book by Kathleen A. Altena. It was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw and some research notes were adder by Wilma J. Vande Berg, both of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society.

Gerrit Hendrik and Gertje were both born and raised in Sioux County, IA, homesteaded northeast of Sioux Center, always engaged in farming. Gerrit, born Nov. 13, 1891, was the 2nd oldest child of Evert and Louise (Schoep) Franken. Evert, born Feb. 6, 1865, in Nunspeet, Netherlands, emigrated to the U.S. in 1867 at the age of 2 years, with his parents, Aart Franken.

Evert married Louise Schoep Dec. 17, 1862 (daughter of a merchant). She died Dec. 17, 1908. Evert’s brothers Aalt and Arie joined the Christian Ref. Church at the time of the split but Evert remained with the Ref. Church.

Gerrit had 3 brothers, Hendrik, who died in infancy, Arthur (Art), and Hendrik (Henry) and 2 sisters, Ella (Mrs. John Niessink), and Johanna (Mrs. C.A. Punt). Henry only one living.

Gertie, born Feb. 23, 1891 first lived in Orange City, where her father Dries Bosch was a carpenter. He was born May 16, 1866 in the Netherlands. He died July 27, 1958 at the age of 92. He came with his parents (Gerrit Bosch) to the U.S. before he was 21 years. Her mother, Grietje (De Groot) was born in Zeeland, MI, July 17, 1868, married Dries Bosch in Orange City, Jan. 24, 1889. She died June 27, 1937. Gertie was the 2nd oldest of 10 children; Gerrit, Gertie, Hendrik (Henry), Jan (John). Eibert (Ed), Johannes (Joe). Dirck (Dick), Gerigje (Carrie), Marigje (Mary), and Johanna (Ann), Henry, Ed and Ann still living.

In 1904, Gertie’s father moved to Sioux Center and built his own Hardware Store which was located in the same spot which is now De Ruyter Hardware. In 1909, they moved to a farm northeast of Sioux Center directly across from the Evert Franken farm. That’s when Gerrit and Gertie started seeing each other. March 1913, the Bosch family moved to a farm east of Steen, MN, so this meant that Gerrit had to do his courting by horse and buggy or train, and which was mostly done by train. One day, Gertie and her sister-in-law decided to take the train and go see Gerrit, and not having access to telephones as we do today, Gerrit was on his way to Steen to see her, they by-passed each other! What a date!

They both attended country school about a mile north of their farm places. They mostly had to walk, sometimes were taken by horse and buggy, or in the winter by bob-sled, which was very cold sometimes! All the roads were dirt at this time.

Gerrit married Gertie Feb. 26, 1914. They had their good and bad years, one of their bad years was when they nearly lost their daughter Grace to spinal meningitis. Also, when they were hit by the hail storm in 1936 and lost their entire crop and much damage to buildings, etc., and no hail insurance in those days!

They always attended the Middleburg Ref. Church until they retired and moved into Sioux Center and attended the First Ref. Church. They had a very strong Christian faith and were very active in the church. He being, Deacon, Elder, S.S. teacher and Supt. He taught Catechism in many of the country schools for many years.

He was Sec’y-Treas. Of Welcome Twp. for many years and served as Board member of several Coop Associations, was on Northwestern College and Sioux Center Hospital Board, at which time the hospital was built. He also did custom corn-shelling and maintained several county roads with a horse-drawn maintainer and drag. His first car was an Overland 90 with a touring top.

They had 10 children:
Evert (Everett), born May 1, 1915. Lives in Sioux Center, electrician and also code enforcement officer for Sioux Center. Attended country school and high school, Reformed Church, married Nelvina Kleinhesselink July 1, 1946. Have 4 children: Greg, Yvonne, Evan and Ramona.

Dries, born Sept. 24, 1916, attended country school. Electrician, presently lives in Mesa, Ariz. Ref. Church. Married Dorothy Marra. They have six children; Donna, Merlyn, Rodney, Eileen, Gary and Terry.

Louis, born Oct. 16, 1917, lives in Sioux Center. Farmer and employed at De Stigter’s Lumber. Attended country school. Ref. Church. They have 9 children, Judy, Ronata, who died of cancer, Aug. 19, 1967, Gretchen, Mary, Leon, Susan, Kathy, Tom and Laura. He married Wilma Duistermars Jan. 28, 1944.

Grace (Van Batavia), born June 14, 1919, lives in Luverne, MN. Attended country school. Ref. Church. Hospital cook. Married Bernard Van Batavia. They have 4 children; Verlyn and Virgil (twins), Ruth and Roger (twins).

Gerrit, born Dec. 21, 1922, farmer. Lives in Sioux Center. Attended country school. Ref. Church. Married Elizabeth Vis, Nov. 28, 1947. They have 5 children; Willard, Kenneth, Gloria, Diane and Gerry.

Howard, born Mar. 23, 1925, lives at Luverne, MN. Farmer. Attended country school. Ref. Church. Married Wilma Vande Kieft. They have 3 children, Cheryl, Larry and Brian.

Louise (Oliver), born Jan. 6, 1928, lives in Sioux Center. Attended country school and high school. Teacher, Hope Haven Residential Training Center Activity Director. Ref. Church. Married John (Jack) Oliver. Jack died Nov. 25, 1969. They have 7 children, Linda, Wanda (Glenwood State School), Jon Michael (Mike), Jeff, Jim, Jay and Jaci.

Kathleen (Altena), born Oct. 26, 1930, lives in Sioux Center. Attended country school and high school. Church Sec’y and piano teacher. Ref. Church. Married Wilmer Altena Jan. 18, 1950. They had 5 children, Rose, Deb, Dan and Dave. In 1953, they had a stillborn, Kathy Lynn.

Arnold, born Jan. 18, 1932, lives in Sioux Center. Electrician. Attended country school and high school. Ref. Church. Married Velma De Groot June 27, 1967. They had 3 children, Shelly, Steve, killed in a single-car accident Dec. 28, 1986, and Mark.

Irwin, born May 1, 1933, lives in Denver, CO. Truck driver. Attended country and high school. Ref. Church. Married Carol De Jong Oct. 2, 1953. Have 6 children, Pam, Janice and Jeff (twins), Cindy, Tim and Phillip.

All seven sons of Gerrit and Gertie served in the Armed Forces. Everett, Dries, Louis and Gerrit in 2nd World War, Howard in 2nd World War mop-up, Arnold and Irwin in the Korean War.

Gertie died Aug. 20, 1963, and Gerrit died Aug. 12, 1986. Both are buried in Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Sioux Center.

Submitted to the book by Kathleen M. Altena

RESEARCH NOTES added by Wilma J. Vande Berg

The birth and death information of Gerrit’s parents Evert Franken 1865-1946 and Louisa Schoep 1862-1908 were added to this BIOS for informational purposes as there was no separate story for them in the Centennial Book, however there were many family stories of their descendants submitted to the book.

BIRTH record of Evert Franken born to Aart Franken age 28 and Eibertje van de Pol age 28 on 6 Feb 1865 at Oosteinde, Ermelo, Gelderland, Netherlands

EVERT FRANKEN DIES AT HOME HERE
One of Sioux Center's pioneer farmers, Evert Franken, Senior, passed away at his home here this week at the age of 81 years, following a lingering illness. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 18, at 1 p.m. at the house and 1:30 at the First Reformed Church. Interment will be in the local cemetery.
He was born in the Netherlands, at Nunspeel, on February 6, 1865. At the age of three he came to America with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Art Franken. The family settled at Alto, Wisc. for four years, and then came to Sioux county by covered wagon. They homesteaded two and a half miles east of old Sioux Center.
Evert Franken married Louise Schoep on March 20, 1888. To this union five children were born, Ella (Mrs. John Niessink), Gerrit, Art, Johanna (Mrs. C. A. Punt), all of Sioux Center, and Rev. Henry Franken of Stickney, S.D. Death came to the mother of these children on December 19[?] 1908.
On March 18, 1913, he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Van Den Heuvel. They lived on the farm northeast of Sioux Center till September, 1919 when they moved to town.
Surviving him are his wife, five children, twenty-three grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and one brother, Arie of Sioux Center. Pall bearers are six grandsons, Everett G. Franken, Dries Franken, Louis G. Franken, Adrian Punt, Everett L. Franken and Darrel Franken.
Source: Sioux Center News, July 18, 1946.

BIRTH record of Louise Schoep to Gerrit Hendrik Schoep a miller, age 24 and Johanna Berkhoff age 26 Louise was born 17 Dec 1862 at Epe, Gelderland, Netherlands.

OBITUARY of Louisa Mrs. Evert Franken
Alton Democrat of Dec 26, 1908 Sioux Center News
Mrs. Evert Franken—nee Louisa Schoep—died at her home in Welcome township last week Thursday on her forty sixth birthday. The immediate cause of her death was an operation performed by Dr. Warren of Sioux City assisted by local physicians.
Besides her husband deceased left surviving her five children the youngest of whom is a boy of eight years and her father—G. H. Schoep—and two brothers and three sisters. Deceased was a woman of fine character and quiet womanly disposition. The funeral services and burial took place at Sioux Center on Monday afternoon. Rev. Douwstra of Middleburg—of which church deceased was a member preached the sermon. The attendance: at the funeral was exceptionally large.
(Family information found includes – Evert Franken born 6 Feb 1865 Gelderland Neth. died 19 Jul 1946 Sioux Center, married 1888 to Louisa Schoep born 17 Dec 1862 Epe Geld. Neth died 17 Dec 1908 Welcome Township Sioux County, dau of Gerrit Hendrik Schoep 1838-1917 and Johnanna Berkhoff 1836-190. Children Ella 1890, Gerrit H. 1891, Aart 1894, Johanna 1897 and Henry E. 1899.)

OBITUARY of Gerrit H. Franken 1891-1984
Gerrit H. Franken, Sr., 92, of Sioux Center died Sunday [Aug. 12] in a nursing home in Hills, Minnesota.
Services were at 10:30 a.m. in the First Reformed Church in Sioux Center. Dr. Thurman Rynbrandt and the Rev. Clarence Greving officiated. Burial was in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation was from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the Memorial Funeral Home.
Mr. Franken was born November 13, 1891, in Sioux Center where he attended school. He was a lifelong area farmer. He married Gertie Bosch February 23, 1914, at Steen, Minnesota. She died in 1963.
Mr. Franken was a member of the Sioux Center Community Hospital Board, Cooperative Creamery Board, and Northwestern College Board at Orange City. He served as secretary-treasurer of the Welcome Township school board. He served on the Consistory of the Middleburg Free Grace Reformed Church of Sioux Center and taught Sunday School for many years.
Survivors include seven sons, Everett, Louis, Gerrit H. Jr., and Arnold, all of Sioux Center, Dries of Buena Park, California, Howard of Luverne, Minnesota, and Erwin of Orange City; three daughters, Mrs. Bernard (Grace) Van Batavia of Luverne, Mrs. Louise Oliver of Sioux Center and Mrs. Wilmer (Kathleen) Altena of Rock Valley; one brother, Rev. Henry of Pella; one sister, Johanna Punt of Sioux Center; 50 grandchildren, 68 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.
Source: Sioux Center News, Aug. 22, 1984.
A similar obituary appears in the Rock Valley Bee, Aug. 22, 1984.
The Minnesota Death Certificates Index gives his mother's maiden name as Schoep. Death certificate ID# 1984-MN-021463.
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An article on an 84th birthday open house (Sioux Center News, Nov. 12, 1975) gives additional biographical data, as well as a photograph. He farmed in the Middleburg area, two miles north and three miles east of Sioux Center, retiring in the 1950s. He recently resigned as a member of the Sioux Center Community Hospital Association Board after serving for 24 years, and served for many years as president of the Sioux Center Cooperative Creamery. He taught Sunday school for 45 years and catechism for 38 years, was a county township trustee for many years, served 30 years as a member of the Welcome Township school board, and was a member of the board of trustees of Northwestern College for 30 years.

BIRTH (from a report on ancestry by others) of Geertje ‘Gertie’ Bosch was born 23 Feb 1891 at Orange City IA to Dries Andrew Bosch 1866-1958 and Grietje De Groot 1867-1937.

OBITUARY of Gertie Mrs. Gerrit Franken 1881-1963
Born: February 23, 1881 Orange City, Iowa
Died: August 20, 1963 Sioux Center, Iowa
Mrs. Gerrit H. Franken, Sr. of Sioux Center, Iowa died August 20, 1963 at the Sioux Center Community Hospital after a lingering illness, at the age of 72 years. Mrs. Franken, born Gertie Bosch, on Feb. 23 1881, at Orange City, married Gerrit H. Franken on Feb. 26, 1914 at Steen, MN.
She was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Dries Bosch of Steen, MN. She spent all of her married life on a farm near Middleburg, a member of the Free Grace Reformed Church, retiring to Sioux Center in 1947 and presently a member of the First Reformed Church.
Survivors include the widower, seven sons, and three daughters, Everett, Gerrit, and Mrs. Jack (Louise) Oliver of Sioux Center, Dries of Norwalk, CA. Mrs. Bernard (Grace) Van Batavia, and Howard of Luverne, MN. Louis and Mrs. Wilmer (Kathleen) Altena of Rock Valley, and Irwin of Orange City. She also leaves six brothers and three sisters, Gerrit, Henry, John, Dick, and Mrs. Carrie Elbers, all of Steen, MN, Ed and Mrs. John Jongerius of Bellflower, CA., Joe of Phonenix AZ. and Anne of Sioux Center; 44 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Source: Cooperative Funeral Service Obit.

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