Gleysteen, Henrietta "Dora," Mrs. Jacob C., 1884-1987

GLEYSTEEN, HOSPERS, GALMAN

Posted By: Lydia Lucas-Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/4/2011 at 07:27:23

OLDEST ORANGE CITY RESIDENT DIES

"Dora" Gleysteen was born Feb. 14, 1884 in Orange City. Although she has always been known as Dora, her given name was Henrietta Arnolda, the second child of Cornelius and Nellie Galman Hospers. Other children in the family were John and Frank, dentists in Chicago; Evelyn (Gerrit) Slobe, well-known in music circles in Orange City; Carl, attorney and businessman, Flint, Mich., and Cornelius (Lucy) who operated a dry cleaning establishment in Orange City after working in his father's general merchandise store where the present Northwestern State Bank is now located. All are long since deceased.

Dora was one of four girls and six boys who graduated in 1903 from what was then known as Northwestern Classical Academy. The other graduates were Catherine Meyer, Jennie M. Roetman, J. Frances VanDerMeide, Otto Braskamp, Jacob C. Hospers, John A. Roggen, Henry W. Pietenpol and Gerrit D. Van Peursem. Dora pleased the people on her 100th, 101st and 102nd birthdays by giving her class yell of 1903. She did not feel up to it on her 103rd.

Dora also attended Drake University and majored in music. She was active in music circles much of her life, including singing in the quartet at the First Presbyterian Church in Sioux City. She was also an active member of the PEO sisterhood.

Dora married Jacob C. (Jake) Gleysteen of Alton on June 23, 1910 at Orange City. Her wedding dress, purchased from Marshall Fields in Chicago, has been given to the Orange City museum. Dora and Jake took up residence in Cle Elum, Wash., where Jake started in the law practice. They moved to Sioux City with their two young sons in 1917 where Jake subsequently became head of his law firm, followed in later years by his son, John.

Dora moved to Altadena, Calif., in 1946 after her husband's death in 1943. Her move was prompted by the number of family and relatives who had retired to California. Her brother, Frank, lived with her until she sold her house in 1958 and returned to Orange City where she lived at 214 Albany. She remained independent and lived in her home until three months prior to her 100th birthday when she moved into the Heritage House.

Dora loved people and as a result had many friends. She would often pick a rose bud from her garden and take it to a friend who was ill. On special days such as Christmas or birthday she greatly appreciated the many cards and letters she received. Reading and television, even an occasional football game, helped to pass the time. Of course, visiting was most enjoyable. Not one to complain, she was most interested in the other person and never lost her sense of humor. To the very end she could recount many interesting stories about the past.

Dora Gelysteen is survived by her sons John, Spirit Lake, and Ft. Myers, Fla.; Carl of Milwaukee and her daughter, Dorothy Wicks of Eugene, Ore. All three were present at her 103rd birthday on Valentine's Day. Also surviving are eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Dora would say today as before, don't lose your sense of humor.

Memorials may be directed to the American Reformed Church of Orange City.

Memorial services were held Thursday, April 23 at the American Reformed Church in Orange City with the Rev. Marlin Vander Wilt officiating. Interment followed next to her husband at Graceland Park Cemetery in Sioux City. The Van Etten-Oolman Funeral Home of Orange City was in charge of arrangements.

Source: Sioux County Capital, April 23, 1987.

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Henrietta "Dora" Gleysteen, 103, of Orange City died Sunday, April 19, in the Heritage House in Orange City. Services were at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 23, in American Reformed Church in Orange City. The Rev. Marlin Vander Wilt officiated. Burial was in Graceland Park Cemetery in Sioux City.

Born Henrietta Hospers on February 14, 1884, in Orange City, she graduated from Northwestern Classical Academy in Orange City in 1903 and earned a degree in music from Drake University in Des Moines. On June 23, 1910, she married Jacob Gleysteen at Orange City. He was a practicing attorney in Sioux City for many years. He died August 5, 1943, in Sioux City. She then moved to California and in 1958 returned to Orange City. In 1984 she became a resident of the Heritage House.

She was a member of American Reformed Church and Sioux City Chapter PEO. She was a former member of First Presbyterian Church of Sioux City.

Survivors include two sons, John of Spirit Lake and Carl of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; a daughter, Dorothy Wicks of Eugene, Oregon; eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Source: Sioux Center News, April 29, 1987.