Bajema, Agnes (Miss), 1896-1927

BAJEMA, WARTENA

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:32

From the Rock Valley Bee, December 9, 1927:

Rock Valley relatives of Miss Agnes Bajema received messages Tuesday advising them of her sudden death which occurred Monday night in Chicago. Miss Bajema was teaching in a Christian School in Chicago. She had not been feeling well for a few days, but went to her school work Monday as usual. While at her work in the school she was stricken and passed away a few hours later. Saturday she had written to her people here that she was not feeling well and was planning to take a rest, and go to the hospital at Sheldon, where her brother Rev. Bajema resides. She had planned to reach Sheldon Wednesday morning.

The remains were brought to Rock Valley, arriving here Wednesday morning. Funeral services will be held in the Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley.

Miss Bajema was born in Minnesota September 1, 1897, and had attained the age of thirty years, three months and four days. She came with her parents to Rock Valley several years ago and had since made her home with them here except when she was away teaching. She had been a teacher in the Christian school in Chicago for the past three years. She was a young woman who was loved and admired by all who knew her and her untimely death is a great shock to her relatives and friends.

She leaves her parents, Mr. and Mrs. O. J. Bajema, of Rock Valley; five brothers, John, Barney and Dick living in this vicinity, Jake Bajema, of Dubuque, and Rev. Wm. Bajema, of Sheldon, Iowa; and three sisters, Mrs. J. C. De Bruin, of Ogelvie, Minn., Mrs. Vaan Drager, of Sheldon, and Miss Tena Bajema, who is teaching in Chicago.

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From the Alton Democrat, December 16, 1927, Rock Valley news:

Word was received here Tuesday of the sudden death of Miss Agnes Bajema Monday night. Miss Bajema was born in Minnesota September 1, 1897 and had reached the age of 30 years, 3 months and 4 days. She came to Rock Valley with her parents a few years ago. Before going to Chicago to teach in the Christian School, she acted as clerk in the Foppe Pioneer Store here, consequently making many close friends here.

This young woman had a host of friends who mourn her early passing. She led a Christian life and her happy smile will no more greet us as we meet her on the highway of life. Miss Bajema taught in the Christian School in Chicago for three years. Miss Bajema wrote a letter Saturday telling her parents that she expected to arrive at Sheldon Wednesday to enter the hospital for rest. She went to her school room Monday as usual but took sick in the afternoon and died a few hours after being taken from the school room.

[Survivors as listed in the Rock Valley Bee, except giving one sister’s name as Lena rather than Tena.]

Funeral services were held at the Christian Reformed Church Friday afternoon, conducted by Reverend J. H. Geerlings, pastor of the church. Interment was made in the Valley View Cemetery.

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The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Bajema, Agnes, b. 1 Sep 1896, d. 5 Dec 1927, Valley View Cem Rock Valley IA

The Illinois Death Index on Ancestry.com has Agnes Bajema, born 1 Sep 1896 in Rock Valley, Iowa; died 5 Dec 1927 in Chicago, age 31, single, teacher, resident of Chicago 3 years, parents Otto Bajema and Frances Wartna, both born in Holland.

Her page on FindaGrave.com includes a photo of her headstone, confirming her birth year as 1896; parents Otto John Bajema (1853-1933) and Frances Wabes Wartena Bajema (1859-1934). Siblings listed are William (1881-1952), John (1883-1952), Bauke (1890-1960), Dick (1893-1971), and Tena Bajema Jasperse (1903-1998).