Harmelink, Jennie, Mrs. John, 1870-1913

HARMELINK, VANDENBRAKE

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/13/2012 at 08:41:45

MRS. JOHN HARMELINK

The funeral services of Mrs. John Harmelink, of whose death a brief mention was made in the Bee last week, were held at her late home at 12 o'clock and at the First Reformed church in this city at 1:30 p.m. Saturday conducted by Rev. J. De Jongh, pastor of this church assisted by Rev. James De Pree of Sioux Center who had known the deceased almost all her life and who had officiated at her wedding several years ago, and of whose church she was a member for a number of years before transferring her membership to the First Reformed church in Rock Valley. The services were largely attended. The church was not large enough to hold the numerous friends of the deceased who had gathered to pay their last respects. Rev. DeJongh took his text from 1st Thes. 4:13-14. Rev. DePree took for his subject: "Prepared to meet Thy God."

The following is a short sketch of the life of the deceased: She was born at Alta, Wis., Oct. twenty-fifth 1870 and departed this life Wednesday [February 5] at 4 p.m. at the age of forty-two years, three months, and ten days. At the age of nine months with her parents she came to Sioux county, where she had lived continuously until death claimed her. She was married March 14, 1889 to John Harmelink. This union was blessed with nine children all of whom are living and are at home, among them is the infant babe born the day before her death. The deceased was a devout member of the First Reformed church and was always faithful in the discharge of her duties whether in the home or the church. Mrs. Harmelink will be greatly missed not only in the home, but in the community as well.

Besides her husband she leaves to mourn her untimely death her aged parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eibert Vanden Brake who reside at Sioux Center, and four brothers and two sisters, Henry, William, Gerret and Bert and Mrs. Den Harder and Miss Winnie Vanden Brake all of whom live in Sioux county. The bereaved relatives have the most sincere sympathy of many friends.

Source: Rock Valley Bee, February 14, 1913.

* * * * * * * * * *

The brief mention referred to above states that she died very suddenly at her home. Even her own family did not realize her serious condition. She suddenly began to fail and passed away before a doctor had time to see her. She leaves a little daughter born the day before her death. (Rock Valley Bee, February 7, 1913).

A news note in Dutch in the Sioux Center Nieuwsblad (Feb. 12) is a little too fuzzy in its digital format to read easily, but gives essentially the same information: She gave birth on Monday, then had the flu and fever. Wednesday her hands and feet became cold as ice and her husband hurried to call a doctor, but too late.

* * * * * * * * * *

It becomes our painful duty to chronicle the sad and unexpected death of Mrs. Jennie Harmelink, wife of John Harmelink, at her home three miles south of Rock Valley, which occurred February fifth 1913. In the prime and vigor of womanhood, in the midst of life and usefulness, at the age of 42 years, 3 months and 10 days, her summons came. Her sun went down in the noontime of life, only to arise in a brighter and better clime.

The subject of this sketch was a native of Wisconsin and came with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eibert Vanden Brake, and located near Sioux Center, where she grew to womanhood. She was married to John Harmelink March 14, 1889, Rev. James De Pree of Sioux Center officiating. As the result of this union nine children were born to them, five boys and four girls. A little babe of but four days is bereft of a mother's love and care at a time when a mother's care is most needed. She was a devout member of the First Reformed church of Rock Valley and was active in the Ladies Auxiliary of the church of her choice, and contributed what she could of her substance and personal energies to the advancement of the church and its interests. As a wife she was kind, considerate and devoted; as a mother she was loving attached to children and home, and was indulgent and tender to them in a marked degree. Though lost to them for a while, she has left them a heritage of an unblemished life, the contemplation of which in coming years will bring to their hearts joy and gladness. The fragrance of her noble life and generous deeds will linger with them as the strains of sweet music.

She is survived by her husband and children, aged parents, four brothers and two sisters who keenly feel the loss they have sustained in her demise. The funeral services occurred at the First Reformed church Saturday afternoon at two o'clock conducted by the pastor, Rev. John De Jongh, assisted by Rev. James De Pree of Sioux Center, in the presence of a large concourse of sympathizing neighbors and friends, who came to pay their last tribute of respect to the departed. She was laid to rest in Valley View cemetery to await the summons of the just to that home of the soul, in the blissful regions of immortality. The friends have the tenderest sympathy of the community in their hour of deep sorrow.

Source: Alton Democrat, February 15, 1913.

* * * * * * * * * *

Brief news notes later in February report the death of the two-week-old baby, as well.