Hollenbeck, Carolyn (Mrs. Zeph D.), 1864-1930

HOLLENBECK, BUSSE, SMIT

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:37

From the Alton Democrat, September 12, 1930, Rock Valley news:

Mrs. Carolyn Hollenbeck (nee Busse) passed away at her home Wednesday afternoon. She was born in Germany October 15th, 1864 and came to America with her parents in 1871, locating on a farm near Burlington, Wisconsin. In 1881 they came to this community.

She was married April 3rd, 1886 to Z. D. Hollenbeck. Three children were born to them, but Robert and Esther passed on at the age of 12 and 8 years. The death of her husband came in February 1919 and in February 1928 her last child, Harry passed away. A twin sister, Mrs. May Arne of Carpenter, S.D. was at Mrs. Hollenbeck’s bedside.

Others here for the services held at the Methodist church Friday were Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Busse, Aplena, S.D., Mrs. Charlotte Bates, Portland, Oregon, Mrs. Dora Hysham of Los Angeles, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Poguey of Alpena, S.D., Mrs. J. F. Cousins, Seattle, and her step son, Guy Hollenback and wife of Slayton, Minn. The services were in charge of Rev. G. A. Tyler. Music was furnished by a mixed quartet representing the American Legion Auxiliary.

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An obituary was also published in the Rock Valley Bee, September 12, 1930, but a tear through the middle of the page removed much of the first portion of the obit. It spells her forename Caroline, and says that she died on Wednesday. She had been under a physician’s care for just a short time. Marriage and number of children same as in the Democrat.

Robert and Esther died of diphtheria at the age of 12 and 8 years, respectively, and were buried in the same grave. A large bit of this mother’s heart was buried out there in the cemetery and from which she never fully recovered. Then came the death of Harry, her remaining son, two years ago.

She was brought up in the Lutheran faith and confirmed at Burlington, Wis. It was a joy to know this refined and timid soul and the latchstring of her home was always open to the minister.

Relatives present at the funeral services were as follows: Her twin sister, Mrs. Marie Arne, of Carpenter, S.D.; Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Busse, of Alpena, S.D.; Mr. and Mrs. Guy Hollenbeck, of Slayton, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Poguey, of Alpena, S.D.; Mrs. J. F. Cousins, of Seattle, Wash; Mrs. Lottie Bates of Portland, Cal.; and Mrs. Doris Hysham, of California. Two sisters were not able to be present.

[Though?] having some property, the [Legion?] in their quiet manner cared for her by hiring a nurse to care for her physical welfare until she passed away.

The funeral service was held from the Methodist church, the pastor officiating, and the body in charge of Mr. Van Nimwegen. The local American Legion furnished the pallbearers. She was buried in the local cemetery.

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The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Hollenbeck, Carolyn, born abt. 1865, died before Aug. 1931, buried Valley View Cemetery, Rock Valley, IA.

Her death certificate has her as Lynn Caroline Holenbeck, widow of Seth Holenbeck; born in Germany October 15, 1864; parents “Bussie” and “Sophia”; resident of Rock Valley 30 years; died at 4 p.m. September 3, 1930; cause, chronic nephritis, date of onset 1929.

Additional family information is found in the separately posted obituaries of her husband Zeph D. Hollenbeck (1840-1919) and her son Harry Clay Hollenbeck (1891-1928).

Researcher Wilma J. Vande Berg found family tree information showing Zephaniah Drury Hollenbeck born 15 May 1840 in Vermont. His first wife was Frances Wood (1849-1885), with children George (born 1869), John (born 1872), Ethel (born 1873), and Guy (born 1875). His second wife was Caroline Bussey, with children Robert (born 1888), Henry C. (born 1891), and Esther (born 1893).

In 1920 Caroline Hollenbeck was living as a widow in Rock Valley, with her son Henry C.; it says she was born in Wisconsin, parents born in Germany. The 1925 Iowa state census also has her living with son (Harry), born in Wisconsin, parents Ford Busse and Sofia Smit, both born in Germany. The 1930 census shows her living alone, in a house she owns; born in Germany, immigrated in 1873, naturalized.

Her estate was not settled until at least September 1931, when the estate administrator was granted authority to sell her lot in Rock Valley to pay estate claims and expenses (Rock Valley Bee, August 14, 1931; Sioux Center News, Sept. 10, 1931). Estate news spells her forename Carolyn.