Balkema, Walter S., 1888-1958

BALKEMA, WEINLAND

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/4/2012 at 22:25:54

FINAL RITES FOR DR. W. S. BALKEMA ARE 2:30 FRIDAY
Former Resident Dies at Sheldon

Funeral services will be held at the Congregational church in Sheldon at 2:30 p.m. Friday for Dr. Walter S. Balkema, M.D., 69, of Sheldon, former Sioux Center resident and one of the first graduates of Sioux Center high school (class of 1905), who died at Sheldon at 4 p.m. Tuesday, February 4. Burial will be made in the Sheldon cemetery.

Dr. Balkema was born at Newkirk, Ia., December 22, 1888, and moved to Sioux Center with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Balkema at the age of six, in 1894. He attended local schools and graduated from the local high school in 1905.

In the fall of 1905 he entered Boyles Business College, Sioux City, and completed a two-year course there in 1907. He was employed for a time in the First National Bank at Sioux City, later worked in Des Moines and then became bookkeeper in the N. Balkema and Company store in Sioux Center.

In 1924 he started a clothing store here which he operated until selling out in 1926. Shortly after disposing of his business he enrolled at age 38 as a medical student at the University of Iowa and received his M.D. degree there in 1932. He interned at Madison, Wis., General hospital and opened a medical practice in Sheldon in 1934, where he had since resided.

Dr. Balkema was an active community worker. He served as a member of the Sheldon city council, as president of the Sheldon Kiwanis club, as a deacon of the Congregational church, and was secretary and treasurer of the O'Brien County Medical Association for over 20 years.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Constance Balkema, of Sheldon; a daughter, Charlotte (Mrs. Victor Walcott), of Los Altos, Cal.; a son, Donald Balkema, DDS, of Los Altos, Cal.; two brothers, Raymond P. Balkema of Burlington, Ia., and Clayton Balkema of Sioux Center; three sisters, Mrs. Fred Den Beste (Kate) of Sioux Center, Mrs. P. B. Mouw (Florence) of Sioux Center and Mrs. E. L. Schuetz (Lucille) of Lincoln, Nebr.; and two grandchildren, Paul and Rosemary Walcott of Los Altos, Cal. His parents and one sister, Janette (Mrs. Wm. Van Roekel) preceded him in death.

Source: Sioux Center News, February 6, 1958.

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Dr. W. S. Balkema of Sheldon Dies at 69 After Success in Two Careers

Dr. W. S. Balkema, 69, who abandoned a successful business career to become a doctor, and practiced medicine in Sheldon for 23 years, died of cancer February 4 in the Sheldon Community Memorial hospital. He had been a leader in the campaign to raise funds to build and operate the hospital.

Dr. Balkema was born at Newkirk December 22, 1888, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Balkema, and he had most of his secondary education in the Sioux Center public schools.

He attended a Sioux City business college, was a bank clerk two years and in 1910 was assistant secretary of the Des Moines Western League baseball club. Returning to Northwestern Iowa, he joined his father in 1912 in operating a general store in Sioux Center. In 1924 he formed his own clothing firm there.

He had always wanted to be a doctor, and by 1926 he felt he was far enough "ahead" in business to turn back to his first ambition. It was a doubly ambitious undertaking, too, because he had married the former Constance Weinland at Oakland, Iowa, September 3, 1914, and they had two children. He entered the State University of Iowa medical school at the age of 38, and was graduated in 1932. He interned in Wisconsin and practiced briefly in Newton before he went to Sheldon.

Dr. Balkema became one of Sheldon's more conscientious citizens. He was a charter member and one of the first presidents of the Kiwanis club, a two-term city councilman, many years school physician, 20 years as secretary of the O'Brien County Medical Society, and a deacon in the Congregational church. He was a member of the American Medical Association.

Survivors include his widow and two children, Mrs. Victor (Charlotte) Wolcott and Dr. Donald Balkema (a dentist), both of Los Altos, Calif.; two brothers, Raymond of Burlington and Clayton of Sioux Center; three sisters, Mrs. Fred Den Beste and Mrs. P. B. Mouw of Sioux Center, and Mrs. T. L. Schuetz of Lincoln, Nebr. There are two grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Friday, February 7, at the Congregational church with Dr. Thomas Lutman officiating. Burial was in East Lawn cemetery.

Source: Sioux County Capital, February 13, 1958.