Willekes, Gerrit E., 1851-1931

WILLEKES, WILLIKUS, WILKES, VANZOELEN

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:34

From the Alton Democrat, September 4, 1931, Boyden news:

Funeral services of Gerrit Wilkes, who died in the Holland Home at Sheldon, were held in the First Ref. church here Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Mr. Wilkes lived at Boyden for over thirty years and spent the last three years in the Holland Home at Sheldon. Interment was made in the Boyden cemetery.

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From the Boyden Reporter, September 3, 1931:

Gerrit Willikus, an inmate of the Holland Home at Sheldon, and a former pioneer Boyden resident, died at the age of about eighty years at Sheldon. Funeral services were held at the First Reformed church at Boyden. Rev. J. W. Brink, the church pastor, had charge of the services, which sermon was deeply appreciated by all those present. Interment was made in the Boyden cemetery.

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The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Willekes, G. E., b. 1851, d. 30 Aug 1931, Sheridan Twp Cem, Boyden IA.

His death certificate has Gerrit E. Willikes, single, born Feb. 1, 1851 in Holland; parents not known to the informant, Mrs. P. R. Hoogegaard, matron, Sheldon; no occupation given; died at the Holland Home for the Aged in Sheldon at 8 p.m. August 28, 1931; cause, cold followed by pneumonia; buried August 31 in Boyden.

WiwWasWie.nl has a birth record for Gerrit Evert Willekes, born 1 Feb 1851 in Ommeren (Buren), Gelderland; parents Hermanus Willekes, a laborer, and Willemke van Zoelen.

New York passenger and crew lists on Ancestry.com show Gerrit E. Willekes, age 40, a laborer who can read and write, coming from Holland on the S.S. Amsterdam on January 26, 1892, in steerage with 2 pieces of luggage, bound for Boyden intending to be a permanent resident.

The 1915 Iowa state census shows him as Garret E. Willekes, age 64, single, a resident of Boyden, occupation none, resident of the U.S. and Iowa 23 years. He was not found in Boyden in the 1900 census.

The Sioux County marriage register for 1921/1922 has an entry for groom Gerrit Everd Willekes, age 71, bride Dora Riderus, age 58, a resident of Boyden, marriage license dated Jan. 12, 1922, affidavit made by Paul T. McCrum. No other information given, including no marriage date.