Terpstra, Sippi, 1881-1926

TERPSTRA, DRUGER

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:38

From the Rock Valley Bee, September 24, 1926:

HEAVIEST RAINFALL IN MANY YEARS FELL FRIDAY

Article about a heavy rainfall that caused the Creamery creek to overflow and resulted in at least four deaths. (All of the other area newspapers also covered the flood.)

S. Terpstra, a jeweler at Hospers, and 8-year-old son, Eugene, drove into the flood at the “Million Dollar Corner” and were both drowned. The boy’s body was found Tuesday a quarter of a mile from where they went down. The body of the father has not yet been found.

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From the Boyden Reporter, September 23, 1926:

HOSPERS JEWELER AND SON STILL LOST

Sip Terpstra, about 40 years old, jeweler at Hospers, and his 8 year old son Eugene, were drowned Friday evening, while they were attempting to drive from Hospers to Sioux Center. Near what is known as the “Million Dollar Corner” the car was being driven over a flooded grade when it went into a wash-out and could not be extricated. As the water rose the father and son mounted the top of their car, from which it is said, they called frantically for help which could not reach them and they were swept away by the torrent. Their bodies had not been recovered at this writing.

Mr. Terpstra had been a resident of Hospers for many years, and he is well known in this locality. He has made many trips to Boyden, where he repaired many watches and clocks. Many are searching for his body and the body of the little boy….

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From the Alton Democrat, October 8, 1926:

SIP TERPSTRA LAID TO REST AT HOSPERS

On Friday afternoon word was received here that the body of Mr. Sip Terpstra had been found after a search extending over a period of nearly two weeks. It was on Friday evening two weeks previous that Mr. Terpstra lost his life when in company with his little son Eugene he attempted to cross the flooded road on their way to Sioux Center via Orange City. They had planned to meet Mrs. Terpstra after the conference program of the Women’s Missionary society which was held at Sioux Center that day. However, the car became stalled and they were soon the victims of a flood such as Sioux county has never before witnessed.

The body of Mr. Terpstra was brought to the Duven undertaking parlors at Orange City and the following day the funeral services were held at two o’clock from the First Reformed church at Hospers of which the deceased was a member. Rev. Stegeman delivered the funeral sermon in English and Rev. G. Douwstra of Hull spoke in the Holland language, while Rev. Roetman of Newkirk conducted services in the basement to an overflow meeting. The text for the funeral sermon was the 15th verse of Psalms 116, “Previous in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Both ministers paid tribute to the high ideals and aspirations which they knew Mr. Terpstra possessed. For these ideals he was admired by a host of acquaintances and respected by all who knew him. As a testimony of this respect all the business places were closed during the two hours service.

Deceased was born in the year 1881 in Oosterbierum in the Netherlands. When he was ten years of age he immigrated to America with his mother, his father having come two years previous. Coming directly to Sioux Center and afterwards settling in Orange City where he grew to manhood. He was educated in the Orange City schools and also finished a course at the N.W.C.A. there, then attended the watchmakers school at St. Paul and later took an optical course in Minneapolis. Some twenty-two years ago he started up in Hospers as a jeweler and has been connected with this line of work since.

In July of the year 1910 he was united in marriage to Miss Florence Druger also of Hospers and to this union one child was born, Eugene their little seven-year old son who perished with his father. The two were pals in life and in death they were taken as if never to be parted. He leaves to mourn a wife, two sisters, three brothers, 3 step sisters and one step brother, besides numerous other relatives and friends who greatly miss him and regret his tragic death. These dear ones have as their consolation that in the reviewing of his life they can not but feel that Mr. Terpstra led an upright christian life. We extend here out heartfelt sympathy especially to the [sorrowing wife].

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The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Terpstra, Sippi, b. 16 Jun 1881, d. 17 Sep 1926, ss Florence, Hospers Cem Hospers IA.