Balkema, Albert, 1863-1956

BALKEMA, SCHOLTENS, HYINK

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/4/2012 at 23:38:54

Albert Balkema Sr. Dies at 93; Was Former County Sheriff and Treasurer

Albert Balkema, 93, well-known Sioux county resident, passed away early Sunday morning at his home after a brief illness. He was a former county sheriff and county treasurer.

Mr. Balkema had been in good health until just recently. He fell twice in October and had since been confined to his home. Before that, he had always made twice-daily trips to the courthouse for his mail in the office of his son, County Treasurer C. E. Balkema. Last Thursday his daughters, Mrs. Evelyn Troutman and Miss Nettie Balkema (who has been here for six weeks) noticed a decided frailty in their father. Death came at 4:30 Sunday morning, December 9.

Albert Balkema, son of Peter and Trientje (nee Scholtens) was born in Gibbsville, Wisc., on February 27, 1863. He came to Sioux county at the age of 20 years. He taught school a few years until he purchased a farm in Capel township where he settled with his bride, Everdina Hyink. He moved his family to Orange City in 1897 when he was elected to the office of Treasurer of Sioux County in 1918 and served until his voluntary retirement in 1941. [submitter's note: a line or two apparently got dropped from the obit during typesetting; he was elected County Sheriff in 1897]

He was a faithful member of the American Reformed church for 58 years, during which time he served on the consistory in various capacities.

His beloved wife preceded him in death in 1950. All of his seven children survive: Peter of Seattle, Wash.; John of Sioux City; Kate Wilson of Tampa, Fla.; Nettie of Honolulu; Clarence Balkema and Evelyn Troutman of Orange City and Albert Jr. of Detroit, Mich. There are 11 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

Of his immediate family, two survive: a brother, James of Orange City; and a sister, Gertrude Van Rooyen of Paramount, Calif.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, December 11, in the American Reformed church with Rev. C. Muyskens officiating. Interment was in the local cemetery with Van Etten funeral home in charge. Pallbearers were all county officers: Dewey Wiersma, M. J. Van Wyk, Milton Van Roekel, Hubert Muilenburg, Karl Seliger and Harry Dykstra.

Source: Sioux County Capital, December 13, 1956.