Keizer, Rintje abt 1884-1907

KEIZER, WOUDSTRA, VEENBAAS, KOOPMANS

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 9/19/2014 at 04:17:45

Alton Democrat of Dec 14, 1907

A sad death from appendicitis occurred at Sioux City last Saturday of which the Journal says: Calling for his father who is 4000 miles away in Amsterdam (?) Holland and speaking many times the name of the sweet heart who for months has awaited his return to the town behind the dikes Rimke Keizer passed away at St, Joseph's hospital Saturday night after an illness of four weeks. Without a relative or close friend on this side of the Atlantic Keizer had for the past four months been working in Sioux City. He looked forward to the time when—having won a fortune —he could go back to Amsterdam and Neetje Koopman whom he proudly announced he was to marry.

Industrious and quiet and of good habits Keizer had won the respect and good will of all with whom he had been thrown in to contact. He was twenty three years old. Keizer came to America eight month ago. He was well educated and had traveled much, The English language had been taught to him in his youth.

When he was apprised of the fact that he could not live he asked for pencil and paper and wrote: Father I am going to die. I thank you for all you have done for me. Goodbye.

Keizer and a young man named Cornelius Veenbas (Veenbaas) came to Orange City last June
and spent some weeks at the Teunis Dyk home. Veenbaas is still at Orange City. He and Mr. Dyk attended the funeral at Sioux City. Rev. De Pree of Alta assisted.

(The submitter took on the challenge of identifying this fellow. ASSUMPTIONS - from records is that he is believed to have been Rintje Keizer born 20 Dec 1884 at Gaasterland Friesland son of Jan Keizer and Jeltje Woudstra. Supposedly, he and a Wopke Cornelius Veenbaas born 1882 came together in 1907. Wopke C. was in South Dakota in 1925 having married in 1911. He was born 13 Jan 1882 in Weststellingwerf Friesland. In 1910 he was a hired man in the Brookings SD area. )