Jansen, Henry 1886-1959

JANSEN, STRONKS

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-Volunteer
Date: 1/17/2015 at 21:49:02

Source: Sioux County Capital (5-28-1959)

Birth: January 31, 1886
Death: May 25, 1959

Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 27, at 2 P.M. in the Alton Reformed Church for Henry Jansen, who died early Monday morning. Jansen suffered a heart attack while attending church services Sunday morning and he was taken to the Grossmann hospital where he passed away.

Reverend Ralph Meyer officiated at the services. Special music was presented by a mixed quartet. Burial was made in the Nassau township cemetery with Van Etten funeral home in charge of arrangements.Pallbearers were Richard Canbier, William Smit, August DeBoer, Douwe DeBoer, Arthur Brawn and Gerrit Beltman.

Henry acquired his nickname "Shorty" in his youth, in contrast to his height, because he was the tallest boy in his group, slightly over six feet tall. He was also very strong. When working at the local meat market, he could carry a 50-pound quarter of beef with ease. He was known to have carried three, 100-pound sacks of flour upstairs for his mother, in one load. He was the 6th child and 3rd son of his pioneer parents. He was born on a farm near Alton, Iowa on 31 January 1886.

When his parents retired from farm life, he remained with them in their home in the town of Alton for several more years.

He drove the "lumber wagon" for the firm of Reideman Brothers. His amiable disposition made him a friend of every child in town. They often ran after his wagon, shouting, "Shorty, Shorty, give me a ride!" Whereupon he would stop his horses and let them climb aboard.

Jansen was born January 31, 1886, in Sioux county, the son of Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Jansen. On 8 March 1911 he was married to Miss Anna Stronks, teacher of the country school known as the DeBoer school, near his home. At this time, the young couple took up farming on their "home place". His brother Al and family, who had been farming the "home place", had moved to another farm. Henry and Anna bought the farm from the other heirs after the passing of their parents. Here they raised their own family and continued farming, even though they had moved to a residence in the town of Alton, Iowa in 1946.

In 1948, they turned the farming operation over to their son, Jim, who had married Elizabeth Byker of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Jim & Beth continued to farm the "home place" and to raise their own family there.

Henry did farm assessing, and was instrumental in interesting area farmers in improving their corn crops by raising a "hybrid" strain of corn. He had a delightful sense of humor and was friend to everyone. He was active on the Official Board of the Dutch Reformed Church of Alton until his death on 25 May 1959 in Alton, Iowa after having spent his entire life in this area.

The deceased was a member of the Alton Reformed Church where he served as consistory member and also as treasurer of the Sunday School at one time. He also served as assessor in Nassau Township for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Anna; three daughters, (Esther) Mrs. Lawrence Scholten of Paramont, California, California, (Ruth) Mrs. John Fennema of Alton, and (Margaret) Mrs. Ray Lubbers of Orange City; one son, James of Alton, and thirteen grandchildren. Two sisters, Mrs. Myron Mason of Alton and Mrs. Jake Mason of Kimberly, Idaho, and one brother, Ben of Kimberly, Idaho also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and two brothers.