Rensink, Bernard J., 1893-1919

RENSINK, VANSTRYLAND, LANDHUIS

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

From the Boyden Reporter, September 4, 1919:

BEN RENSINK FATALLY INJURED WHILE USING TRACTOR

With his body frightfully mutilated by a tractor drawn plow, Ben Rensink, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Rensink, was found conscious in a field near his home 4 miles east and 1 mile north of Boyden, about 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon. His shoes and part of his clothing were found on the opposite side of the field, indicating that he had been caught by the plow and dragged across the field. The tractor was running wild. Mr. Rensink died at 1:30 Thursday morning at the Cram hospital at Sheldon.

No one witnessed the accident but it is believed that Ben fell from the seat of the tractor and was caught by the trailing plows. When he failed to come to the house for dinner relatives went to the field. His body was a mass of cuts.

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Also from the Boyden Reporter, September 4, 1919:

Obituary – Bernard J. Rensink

Bernard J. Rensink, after being terribly mutilated by a tractor drawn plow on last Wednesday noon, passed away on Friday morning at 1:30 o’clock at the Cram hospital in Sheldon. No one witnessed the accident, but as near as it is possible to tell, Mr. Rensink fell from the seat of the tractor into the plows and was dragged around the field until he was almost beyond recognition.

The accident was first noticed by Mrs. Rensink and J. Nieuwendorp, after being attracted to the field by the calls of [the] injured. The deceased was conscious when found in the field and asked to have the tractor stopped. Help was summoned and the unfortunate man was taken at once to Cram’s hospital, where everything was done to help him. It is indeed remarkable that the young man lived as long as he did, considering the extent of his injury.

The funeral for Bernard J. Rensink was held on Monday afternoon at the Reformed Church at Boyden, with Rev. Douwstra, Rev. Vander Naald and Rev. Megchelsen officiating. Interment was made at the Boyden cemetery.

Bernard J. Rensink, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Rensink, was born at Hospers, on the 9th day of July in the year of 1893; he was 26 years, 1 month and 20 days of age at the time of his death. He was united in marriage to Bertha Van Stryland on the 31st day of March in the year of 1915, at Orange City. To this happy union three children were born, two of them passing away in infancy and the other, a boy, is nineteen months of age. Besides his wife and little son, deceased leaves a host of relatives to mourn his death.

The passing away of this young man is a severe shock to the entire community as he was known by all and had a multitude of warm friends. The funeral was attended by a very large crowd, the church being filled to beyond standing room. Many out-of-town relatives and friends attended. The Reporter extends its sincere sympathy to the bereaved relatives in their hour of sorrow.

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A news note about his accident in the Hawarden Independent, September 11, 1919, says that he had been subject to fainting spells as a result of a severe attack of the flu last winter and the supposition is that he fell from his rig during one of these attacks.

FindaGrave.com has him as Bernard J. “Bennie” Rensink, born 9 July 1893 at Newkirk, Iowa; parents John Rensink (1870-1955) and Aaltje Ella Landhuis Rensink (1866-1933); several listed siblings; children Adaline Helen Rensink (Nov. 5, 1915-1915), John Bernard Rensink (Jan. 10, 1917-Jan. 11, 1917), and John Harry Rensink (Feb. 14, 1918-June 9, 1973). His wife Bertha later married Jacob C. Moermond (1892-1927) and Carl A. Samuelson (1892-1946).