Smeenk, Joseph A., 1907-1965

SMEENK, BOER

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/23/2013 at 20:41:32

Services held for Joseph A. Smeenk

Funeral services for Joseph A. Smeenk, 57, were held February 9, 1965 at 1:30 p.m. at the American Reformed Church. The Rev. Alvin Hook officiated. Special music "The Love of God" and "Have Thine Own Way" was presented by Rev. and Mrs. Stanley Vander Weide with Mrs. Stanley Duven, organist. John S. De Groot, Henry Vander Weide, Herman Dykstra, Peter Mieras, Ray Vander Meulen and Sip Sipma served as pallbearers with burial taking place in the Nassau Township Cemetery at Alton, Iowa, under the direction of the Van Etten Funeral Home.

Mr. Smeenk was born at Harrisburg, South Dakota, on June 23, 1907. In 1918 he moved with his parents to Sioux Center, Iowa, and in 1929 to Orange City where he received his early education. On December 5, 1946 he was married to Effie Boer. After graduation from Finley Engineering College, Kansas City, Missouri, he worked in the Westinghouse Research Lab at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Later he returned to Orange City where he set up his own electrical, plumbing and heating contracting business. During the last few years he farmed between Orange City and Alton. On February 6, 1965, he passed away at the Methodist Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa.

Survivors include his wife, Effie, two brothers, William, a missionary in Indonesia, and Raymond of Harrisburg, South Dakota; and two sisters, Matilda Smeenk, a missionary in The Netherlands, and Mrs. Emma Kloster of Carnes. One sister, Mrs. Nellie De Mots, and his parents preceded him in death.

Source: Sioux County Capital, February 11, 1965.

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Joe Smeenk Passes, Rites Held At Orange City Tuesday Afternoon

Joseph A. Smeenk, 57, well known farmer and electrician living a half mile east of Orange City, died Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Methodist hospital in Sioux City after a long illness.

Mr. Smeenk was born June 23, 1907, at Harrisburg, So. Dak., and in 1919 accompanied his parents to Sioux Center. In 1920 the family moved to Orange City, where he attended school. Later he graduated from the Finley Engineering College at Kansas City, Mo., and after working in the Westinghouse Research Laboratory in Puttsburgh, Pa. a few years, he established his own electric, heating and contract business at Orange City. In recent years he has given his attention to operating his farm on Highway 10 near Orange City. He was greatly respected by his neighbors and many friends.

[Subsequent information on marriage, survivors, and funeral service same as the Sioux County Capital obit.]

Source: Alton Democrat, February 11, 1965.