Flietstra, William R., 1856-1930

FLIETSTRA, FLIESTRA, VLIETSTRA, TUININGA, DEVOS

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:36

From the Rock Valley Bee, August 1, 1930:

WM. R. FLIESTRA IS CALLED TO HIS REWARD

[The actual spelling of his surname is Flietstra or Vlietstra; see research notes, below]

Wm. R. Fliestra died at his home in Rock Valley Saturday afternoon at 5:30 o’clock, his death being due to the natural decline of old age. Mr. Fliestra had attained the advanced age of seventyfive years, nine months and sixteen days.

Mr. Fliestra was born in Holland on October 10, 1856, where he grew to manhood and spent the greater part of his life. He came to this country in the year of 1900, coming directly to Sioux county, where he resided continuously until his death. He moved with his family to Rock Valley about four years ago.

Mr. Fliestra is survived by his wife and two daughters. The daughters are Mrs. John Bakker, Okaton, S.D., and Mrs. Nick De Boer, of Rock Valley. One daughter, Mrs. Klaus Hartsuiker, died two years ago.

Funeral services were held in the First Reformed church in Rock Valley Tuesday afternoon, services being held at 1:00 o’clock at the home and at the church at 1:30. The remains were taken to Valley View Cemetery for burial.

(A similar obituary was published in the Alton Democrat, August 8, 1930, Rock Valley news, saying that he came to the United States in 1909.)

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RESEARCH NOTES

He does not appear in the Sioux County Cemetery Index. He does, however, appear in “Cemetery Records of Sioux County,” which shows him buried in Block 14, Lot 1 of Valley View Cemetery.

His death certificate has him as William R. Flietstra, married, a day laborer; born Oct. 10, 1857 in Holland; parents Insa Flietstra and Klaaska Tinenga; wife Antje Flietstra; lived in the U.S. 21 years and in Rock Valley 4 years; died at 6 p.m. July 26, 1930, of senility.

FindaGrave.com has Willem Flietstra, born 10 Oct 1856 in Blessum, Menaldumadeel Municipality, Friesland, Netherlands; died 26 Jul 1930; buried in Valley View Cemetery, Bk. 14, Lot 1; spouse, Antje Vos Flietstra (1857-1934, married 1884); children Tryntje Flietstra Bakker (1885-1938) and Gertie Flietstra De Boer (1890-1960). A note in the entry says Flietstra and Vlietstra are used as family names.

The 1910 U.S. census shows William (53) and Antke (52) Flietstra, married 26 years; birthplaces Holland-Frisian; immigrated 1910. He is a truck farmer, renting his farm.

The 1925 Iowa state census shows them (as Wm. and Anna) living with Nick and Gertie De Boer and their children. His parents are given as Yneck[?] Flietstra and Clara Tuinenga, and hers as William De Vos and Treentye[??] Helenga.

Their marriage record on WieWasWie.nl shows him as Willem Ynses Vlietstra, age 27, parents Ynse Klazes Vlietstra and Klaaske Jacobs Tuininga; her as Antje Wiltjes de Vos, age 26, parents Wiltje Klazes de Vos and Trijntje Pieters Hellings; married 10 May 1884 in Baarderadeel, Friesland.

His birth record on WieWasWie.nl shows him as Willem Vlietstra, born 10 October 1856 in Menaldumadeel, Friesland, son of Ynse Klazes Vlietstra and Klaaske Jacobs Tuininga.