Markus, Anna (Mrs. Jacob), 1877-1933

MARKUS, BEKMAN, KLEINBEKMAN, MUYSKENS

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/19/2015 at 06:53:28

From the Alton Democrat, June 9, 1933, p. 1:

Mrs. Jacob Markus Takes Own Life In Tragic Manner

Mrs. Jacob Markus of Orange City, who had been in very poor health for some time took her own life between the hours of 7 and 8 Wednesday morning by cutting her throat with an old fashioned straight-edged razor. She was found on the bathroom floor by her husband who had just arisen, with her life fast ebbing away.

Mrs. Markus had not been herself for some months and it is clearly evident that in a moment of mental aberration she committed the deed which took her life so quickly. The coroner was called and it was found there was no need for an inquest, her hand still holding the razor and it being a clear case of self destruction.

Some ten or fifteen years ago Mrs. Markus' first husband, Henry K. Bekman died, and some years later she again married. Although they had been notified of her death, at this writing none of the five children of her first marriage who survive their mother had been told of how she met her death. All of her dearly beloved and highly respected family have the deep sympathy of all who know them in their immeasureable loss.

The children are Eunice and Victor Bekman, at home; Priscella Bekman, New York City; Leo Bekman, Schaller, Iowa; and Stanley Bekman, Grand Rapids, Mich. Besides the children she is survived by a large number of brothers and sisters, the Muyskens relatives of this vicinity.

Mrs. Markus was a devoted church worker and was especially interested in the work of the W.C.T.U., to which she gave a great deal of time and energy. Although she had been in failing health for some time, she attended a W.C.T.U. meeting at Maurice Tuesday and also walked to an American Legion Auxiliary meeting that day.
Funeral arrangements had not been completed.

* * * * * * * * * *

From the Hawarden Independent, June 15, 1933:

Mrs. Jacob Markus of Orange City took her own life June 7th by slashing her throat with a razor blade after her husband had arisen and gone to the kitchen to prepare breakfast as was his custom. Ill health for the past several years, worry over financial affairs and despondency are said to have caused her to take her life. She had been as well as usual, however, as the day before she had attended a W.C.T.U. meeting at Maurice and in he evening had attended an American Legion Auxiliary meeting. The day before it was learned that crops in South Dakota had been destroyed by hot winds and Mr. Markus had considerable land in Dakota and therefore this caused some worry. She is survived by five children.

* * * * * * * * * *

From the Alton Democrat, June 16, 1933, p. 1:

Hundreds Honor Memory [of] Beloved Mother Saturday

Funeral services for Mrs. Jacob Markus were held on Saturday, June 10, at 1:30 P.M. at the home, and at 2 o'clock at the American Reformed church, with Rev. J. G. Brouwer officiating, assisted by Rev. J. Heemstra. Special music was rendered by Mrs. G. J. Slobe and by a quartet consisting of Mrs. Harold J. De Jong, Mrs. Slobe, W. W. Schultz and Fred Brower. Interment was at the Orange City cemetery. The pall bearers were nephews of Mrs. Markens--Rev. Bernard Muyskens, Peter Muyskens, John Muyskens, Henry Muyskens, John Fennema and Wm. Fennema.

Anna Muyskens was born in Terschelling, the Netherlands, on Nov. 6, 1877, and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jan Muyskens. At the age of five she came to this country with her parents, who settled on a farm near Alton. On Sept. 16, 1899, she was married to Henry K. Bekman who passed away on Dec. 25, 1915 leaving her with five young children. On April 27, 1927, she was married to Jacob Markus who survives her, together with her children, Leo of Schaller, Iowa; Stanley, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Priscilla, New York City; and Eunice and Victor of Orange City. She also leaves the following brothers and sisters: Dirk and Cornelius Muyskens of Alton; Peter Muyskens, Albert Lea, Minn.; Mrs. Kate Korver, Sheldon; Rev. Arien Muyskens of Philadelphia, Pa.; Mrs. Martha Fennema, Alton; Miss Marie Muyskens, Detroit, Mich.; Rev. John Muyskens, Jenkintown, Pa.; and Dr. W. R. Muyskens, also of Detroit. All of her children came home for the funeral and all of her brothers and sisters except Peter Muyskens, Rev. A. Muyskens and Rev. John Muyskens.

Mrs. Markus was an earnest Christian and in spite of having been in ill health for the past few years, had been active in the Ladies' Aid of the American Reformed church, the W.C.T.U., and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Among the relatives and friends from out of town who attended the funeral were the following: Mrs. Peter Muyskens and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Reeverts, Albert Lea, Minn.; Mrs. L. Lutjens, Sheldon; Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Roth, Sioux City; Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit Roggen, Sheldon; Henry Den Beste, Sheldon; Mrs. M. T. Iverson, Platte, S.D.; Mrs. C. W. Sperry, Corsica, S.D.; Richard Markus, Corsica, S.D.; J. L. Markus, Harrison, S.D.; Clarence Markus, Armour, S.D.; Mr. and Mrs. Francis Bleakly, Schaller, Iowa; Mrs. Jennie Ellerbroek, Sheldon; Mr. and Mrs. M. Mulder, Sheldon; Rev. and Mrs. Bernard Muyskens, Matlock.