Balkema, Nicholas, 1865-1954

BALKEMA, VANROOYEN

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/4/2012 at 06:07:27

NICHOLAS BALKEMA, PIONEER MERCHANT, DIES AT 88 YEARS

Funeral services were held here Monday for Nicholas Balkema, one of Sioux Center's oldest residents and a local business man for 48 years. He was 88 when he died here Friday afternoon following a brief illness.

Services were held at the Central Reformed church, with Rev. M. Klaaren officiating, and arrangements were under the direction of the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home. Burial was at the Community cemetery here.

Mr. Balkema loved music during his long life, and the 42nd Psalm, verse 1, was sung by the congregation. Special music was provided by a mixed quartet that sang "Grace Greater Than Our Sin" and "My Redeemer." Pall bearers were Dr. Walter Balkema, Raymond Balkema, Clayton Balkema, Fred Den Beste, Peter B. Mouw and Eardley Schuetz.

Nicholas Balkema was born at Gibbsville, Wis., April 7, 1865. He attended rural school and went to high school several years before ill health forced him to leave school. He came to Newkirk, Ia. in 1884 and made his home with his sister, Mrs. L. Dykstra, whose husband was pastor of the Newkirk church. He taught school for a short time before going into the mercantile business there. In March, 1893, he established his mercantile business in Sioux Center, where he continued active until his retirement in 1941, concluding 54 years of business life.

Mr. Balkema was married to Clara Van Rooyen on December 9, 1886 at Newkirk. Besides his wife he is survived by the following children: Kate, Mrs. Fred Ten Beste of Sioux Center; Dr. Walter Balkema of Sheldon; Florence, Mrs. P. B. Mouw, of Sioux Center; Raymond of Burlington; Clayton of Sioux Center; and Lucille, Mrs. Eardley Schuetz of Lincoln, Neb. One daughter, Jeanette, Mrs. Wm. G. Van Roekel, and two grandchildren, Alice Ten Beste and Dorothy Ellen Balkema, preceded him in death. He is also survived by two brothers, Albert and James, both of Orange City, and one sister, Mrs. J. Van Rooyen of Paramount, Cal., 17 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

Mr. Balkema was a charter member and a charter elder of Central church and taught Sunday school for many years. He took an active part in civic and community affairs, being a member of the town council and he also served on the school board for 35 years. He was elected to the Iowa Senate for three consecutive terms. He was deeply interested in the building of the Community hospital.

The funeral was attended by a large group of friends and relatives from Sioux county and several from Volga, S.D.

Source: Sioux Center News, February 4, 1954.
The obituary includes a photograph.