Zoete, Bouwe 'Bert' born 1876-1904

ZOETE, FOKKEMA

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 4/12/2013 at 08:07:59

Sioux County Herald of May 18, 1904

Death of Bert Zoete
Bert Zoete gave up this life on Saturday morning, April 14th, at 11 o'clock, after long suffering from that dread disease consumption. Deceased was 2S years old and was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Zoete who reside in the northeast part of town. He was born in the Netherlands and came to this country with his parents some fourteen years ago.

Bert's death was not unexpected and his parents kept close vigil over him knowing the final end could not long be delayed. Saturday morning he had one of his bad spells, and had apparently passed through it; his father had gone out in the yard, and his mother, after giving him a drink of water, went upstairs to look after another sick son. She had just reached the upper story when she heard a light rap on the floor, and called back that she would he down in a moment. When she returned her son was apparently sleeping, and as he had slept but very little in the past two weeks.

She darkened the room and left him, went out and warned her husband to be very quiet for Bert was sleeping, Mr. Zoete fearing his wife had been deceived, hastened to his son's room to find that he had passed away alone after all their vigilance.

Young Zoete was a painter and paper hanger by trade and was a mechanic of unusual ability in his line. He was widely acquainted in Orange City and vicinity and had numerous friends who deeply regret his death. The sympathy of all goes out to the bereaved family in their season of sorrow.

The funeral was held from the family home Monday afternoon at 1 o’clock and from the Frist Reformed church at 2, conducted by Rev. E. W. Stapelkamp, and was well attended despite the inclemency of the weather. The pall bearers were J. o. Vos, P. Blom, J. Vander Wilt, Will Labberton, H. Vander Schoor and G. VandeWaa.

(from the site www.wiewaswie.nl found the parents of Bert (Bouwe) Zoete, as Cornelis Bouwes Zoete born 1842 Barradeel, Fr. Neth., he married Hendrika Fokkema born 1843. They came to the USA about 1888. They were the parents of 8 children and in 1900 census 5 children were living, three with the parents in Holland Tsp, Sioux County. They were Bouwe ‘Bert’ 23 born 10 Sep 1876 , Klaas 22 born 6 Mar 1878 and Arend born 25 Sep 1879. Other children born to them in the Netherlands were Baukje 1871, Baukje 1874, Tijtske 1869, Bouwe 1872, Saeaerke 1881. )