Wesselink, Henry W. 1877-1953

WESSELINK, RENSINK, SCHUTT

Posted By: Janet Bosler - Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/24/2013 at 21:28:08

Sioux Center News January 14, 1953

Funeral services for Henry W. Wesselink, retired Sioux Center business man and active civic leader for more than a quarter of a century, were held Monday at the First Reformed church with Rev. P.A. De Jong officiating. Mr. Wesselink died Friday at the age of 76, following a short period of illness.

Burial was at the Community cemetery here. Pall bearers were Gerrit Wesselink, Peter Wesselink, John Wesselink, Arthur Wesselink, , Edward Wesselink, and Elmer Meredith.

Music at the funeral was furnished by a quartet consisting of Ed J. Vermeer, Elmer Vermeer, Harvey Vermeer and Gerald Vermeer, Mrs. Frieda Vande Brake was the organist.

Henry Wesselink was born Sept. 6, 1877 in West Branch township in Sioux county, the son of Gerrit W. and Grada Rensink Wesselink. He spent his entire life in this community.

He was educated in rural schools, Northwestern Academy and Dixon Business school at Dixon, Ill. Following graduation from the business school, he opened a hardware store in a building where the Ben Franklin store now stands. After selling this business later, he was employed as a bookkeeper for the Farmers Cooperative Society during World War I. In 1920 he organized the Wesselink Insurance Agency and managed its successful operation until his retirement in 1937, when his son John A. took over. During World War II, however, he again assumed the management duties while John was in the Navy.

Mr. Wesselink was active in civic and church life. He served on the school board, was president of the Mutual Telephone company for many years and taught Sunday school in his church for 40 years. He was president of the Sioux County Sunday School association for five years and served on the consistory of the First Reformed Church both as deacon and elder.

He was united in marriage to Henrietta Schutt June 11, 1902. To this union nine children were born, all of whom survive as well as his widow and a foster sister, Mrs. Minnie Ferrell of Minneapolis, and twenty three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Rev. John Wesselink, who died Nov. 21, 1953.

Mr. and Mrs. Wesselink observed their golden wedding anniversary June 11, 1952, when all of the children and grandchildren were home.

The surviving children are Gerrit of Washington, D.C., Peterof Clio, Mich., Grayce Mrs. Elmer Meredith of West Liberty, Ia,; Pearl, Mrs. Lane Bruinsma and John A., both of Sioux Center; Alice, Mrs. Jess Wells of Omaha,Neb.; Dr. arthur of Eagle Grove, Ia.; Edward of Pella; and Alma, Mrs. Henry Beyer f Hull.