VanWechel, Wilhelmina, Mrs. Allen, 1877-1943

VANWECHEL, MUILENBURG

Posted By: Lydia Lucas-Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/27/2011 at 18:35:55

MOTHER OF NINE PASSES ON AT COUNTY SEAT
Mrs. A. Van Wechel Was Born in Sioux County

Mrs. Allen Van Wechel, life-long resident of Sioux County, of which her parents were pioneer settlers, died March 11th, after a long illness. Her husband and family have the sympathy of hundreds of friends, for Mrs. Van Wechel was a kind neighbor and friend, as well as a devoted wife and mother.

Wilhelmina Muilenburg was born on a farm one mile west and one and one-half miles north of Orange City on February 1, 1877, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Muilenburg. She grew to womanhood in this community and on April 2nd, 1902 was married to Allen Van Wechel, also of Orange City.

To this union were born nine children, namely: Helen and Mildred, who are now teaching in the public schools at Waterloo, Iowa; Clarence and Raymond, who are engaged in the garage business at Vinton, Iowa; Melvin, in the garage business at Grinnell, Iowa; Kenneth, employed in the Pure Food Grocery at Orange City; Geraldine, Mrs. John Westfall of McMinneville, Oregon, now making her home in Orange City with her father for the duration of the war; Verlyn, serving his country somewhere in North Africa; and Lloyd, who resides at home.

She was preceded in death by her parents and five sisters, Johanna, Elizabeth, Jennie, Teuntje and Anna. Besides her husband and children, she is survived by six small grandchildren; two sisters: Mary (Mrs. C. Van Steenwyk) of Edgerton, Minn.; Nellie (Mrs. G. Vande Aarde) of Milford, Ia.; three brothers: Alex of Edgerton, Minn.; John of Hull; Hubert of Orange City; and many life-long friends.

Services were held in the American Reformed church, Orange City, with Rev. H. Colenbrander officiating. Interment was made in the Orange City cemetery.

Source: Alton Democrat, March 19, 1943.

A similar obituary was published in the Sioux County Capital, March 18, 1943.