Heemstra, Sibren (Sam) 1858-1932

HEEMSTRA, PORTER, SCHAEFER, VAN PELT, REEVES

Posted By: Viv Reeves (email)
Date: 3/29/2008 at 16:10:03

From the Alton Democrat, Alton, (Sioux), Iowa, Friday, June 10, 1932, Page 1, Column 2:

Aged Orange City Man Ends Own Life

Joe (error--Sam) Heemstra, a resident of the Pioneer home at Orange City, took his own life by hanging himself to the post of his bed at about 5:30 o'clock Tuesday morning. He reached the age of 73 years on September 18 last. His wife passed away several years ago (error--the previous year) and since that time he had been more or less in ill health, especially so during the last few months.

He is survived by nine** children, one daughter having died two years ago. The surviving children are as follows: Joe of Hospers; Harry, Monroe, S. D.; Will, Naperville, Ill.; John of Mason City; Mrs. Jake Porter, Inwood; Mrs. Martin Schaefer, Monroe, S. D.; Bert of Orleans, Minn.; Gerritt of Pompton Lake, N. J.; Mrs. Jno. Van Pelt of LeMars.

Mrs. Bert Reeves, LeMars, a daughter, died two years ago.

Funeral services will be held at the Pioneer home at 1:30 and at 2:00 at the First Ref. church this Friday afternoon.

(**Note--there were 10 surviving children. Omitted, between Bert & Gerritt, is Jake Heemstra, living in Monroe, S. D.)

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From the LeMars Sentinel, Friday, June 10, 1932, Page 1, Column 4:

CLOSES LIFE IN HOME FOR AGED

SAM HEEMSTRA, WELL KNOWN IN ORANGE CITY VICINITY, HANGS HIMSELF

A dispatch from Orange City says Sam Heemstra, 73, committed suicide in his room at the Pioneer Memorial home for the aged here. He was found hanging to the head of his bed by another inmate of the home.

Heemstra had laid his clothes out, ready to be used. He leaves seven sons and three daughters. He has been an inmate of the home since last fall.

Mr. Heemstra was well known in Orange City and Carnes.