TeSlaa, Gerrit John, 1857-1931

TESLAA, KRUISSELBRINK, WARENHOF

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:35

From the Sioux County Index (Hull), April 17, 1931:

Hull Resident Answers Call of Maker Last Week

G. J. TeSlaa died at his home in Hull last Saturday, following a short illness with pneumonia. Mr. TeSlaa was over seventy-four years old and had lived in this community for over forty years, in fact ever since coming to this country. He is survived by a large family of children and grand children and by his wife, to whom he has been wedded for over fifty-five years.

The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at the home and from the First Reformed church of Hull, Rev. G. H. Douwstra officiating. Interment was made in Hope cemetery.

Mr. TeSlaa was a kind and loving husband and father, a fine neighbor and a friend of all mankind. His memory will linger long in the minds of all who knew him. He was a great reader and was an exceptionally talented literary man, having many books of poems and writings of his own composition.

The Index joins the many friends of the family in extending sincere sympathy.

Obituary

Gerrit John TeSlaa was born August 31, 1857 at Aalten, Prov. Gelderland, Netherlands and from a family of nine brothers and one sister.

He was married on September 2nd, 1875 to Johanna Gertrude Kruisselbrink. They came to the United States in the year 1893. The first eight years they lived southwest of Sioux Center on the farm. In the year 1901 they moved to a farm southwest of Hull. On this farm they lived for 22 years. In the year 1923 they moved to Hull.

Mr. and Mrs. TeSlaa had eleven children. One died in infancy in Holland. They came to the United States with eight children, the two youngest being born in the United States. Two of the children died in this country, Johanna, the wife of E. D. VerMeer, died at the age of 28 years, in 1905, and Gerrit, who died at the age of 19, in 1911. The living children are Henry TeSlaa, John TeSlaa, Mrs. Jake W. VerMeer, Mrs. Harry Miersma, Mrs. Lammert Kooiker and Mrs. James VandenSchaaf (twins), Mrs. John D. Hospers, Wm. TeSlaa all of Hull. There are also 37 grand children and 22 great grand children.

Mr. TeSlaa was a member of the First Reformed church and served this church as elder for many years. He was also teacher for Bible classes in two schools for many years. His trade was that of a carpenter and he followed this work for over 40 years.

Besides his wife and children he is also survived by three brothers, two residing in the old country and Mr. B. TeSlaa of Hull.

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From the Sioux Center News, April 16, 1931:

GARRIT JOHN TE SLAA DIES AT THE AGE OF 74

Garrit John Te Slaa died at his home in Hull after a short illness, diagnosed as pneumonia. Mr. Te Slaa was seventy four years old at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife and eight children.

Thirty eight years ago the Te Slaa family moved to America from Gelderland in the Netherlands. They lived around Sioux Center for some time and ten years ago the family moved to Hull. Six years ago Mr. and Mrs. Te Slaa celebrated their golden anniversary, and this was the last time all the children were home at one time.

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The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Te Slaa, Gerrit J., b. 1857, d. 1931, ss Geertruida, Hope Cem Hull IA.

His death certificate has Gerrit John Te Slaa; born August 1, 1856 in Holland; parents Henry Te Slaa and Henricka Warenhof; wife Johanna Te Slaa; resident of the U.S. 38 years and of Hull 7 years 6 months; occupation carpenter, worked at this occupation 50 years; died at 6:50 p.m. April 11, 1931; cause of death pneumonia, onset 4/8/31, and flu, onset 4/1/31.

FindaGrave.com has Gerrit Jan Te Slaa, born 31 Aug 1857 at Aalten; died 11 April 1931; spouse Gertrude Kruisselbrink Te Slaa (1854-1940). Includes a photo of their joint headstone giving their names and dates as in the Sioux County Cemetery Index. It also includes a photo of him. Children Johanna Geziena Te Slaa Vermeer (1876-1905), Hendrik Te Slaa (1877-1943), John G. Te Slaa (1879-1949), Cynthia Te Slaa Vermeer (1880-1956), Hattie Te Slaa Miersma (1885-1936), Gertrude Te Slaa Kooiker (1888-1966), Dora Gesina Te Slaa Vander Schaaf (1888-1979), Dena W. Te Slaa Hospers (1895-1973), and William Te Slaa (1898-1973).