VanderBok, Tena (Mrs. Adam), 1849-1906

VANDERBOK, VANDERVALK

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/21/2014 at 23:28:40

Called Home

"Blessed are those who die in the Lord." After living a Christian life for over a half century, Mrs. Tena Vander Bok, faithful and loving wife of Rev. Adam Vander Bok, passed to her reward Friday evening [March 23]. While the aged husband and her grown up children were not expecting the Grim Reaper and her death is a great shock to them, she was ripe for the harvest. Her years of life were crowded full of loving service for loved ones and her Master. Mrs. Vander Bok was not a strong and rugged woman, having been afflicted at periods with what is termed "gall stones."

Mrs. Tena Vander Bok was born in South Holland March 26, 1849. She came to America in 1872 and thirty-two years ago she married the Rev. Adam Vander Bok, at Patterson, N. J. With her husband and family she migrated to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1891 and again from there to Rock Valley in 1897. From the last date to March 1904 she shared in the trials and triumphs of her husband who was the pastor of the Christian Reformed church of this place. The last pastorate of Rev. Vander Bok was at Ebenezer, S.D. But owing to failing health the aged husband gave up his active pastoral duties at that place and once more returned to Rock Valley, where they have resided.

The deceased was the mother of ten children, four of whom died in infancy. Those who with her aged husband survive here are Mrs. Hester Van Otterloo, Misses Agnes and Katie, and Peter, Henry and Arendt.

The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Heynan and Englesman, from the home at 1 o'clock p.m. and from the Christian Reformed church at 2 o'clock. And the last of the earthly remains were laid to rest in the cemetery south of town. A large number of old friends and neighbors bore testimony of her worth by their presence at her funeral. The Bee joins with others in extending sincere sympathy to the bereaved sons and daughters and the aged husband in their great loss.

Source: Rock Valley Bee, March 30, 1906.

* * * * * * * * * *

A brief note in the Sioux County Herald, March 28, 1906, says that she died very suddenly from heart disease at her residence in Rock Valley; she had been a sufferer from a chronic trouble.