DeBoer, Gilbert, 1913-1933

DEBOER, VANDERWERF

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:38

From the Rock Valley Bee, May 26, 1933:

GILBERT DE BOER KILLED IN AUTO ACCIDENT SATURDAY

A fatal automobile accident occurred at the Stephens farm one mile north and seven miles west of Rock Valley Saturday afternoon in which Gilbert De Boer, 19-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. K. DeBoer, lost his life. Gilbert had taken some seed corn to the field where his father was planting and was returning home when the accident happened. It is not known what caused the accident, but it is thought that it was caused by a wheel coming off the car, causing it to overturn.

The young man’s chest was badly crushed which caused his death about four hours later. His brother working in a field saw the accident from a distance and hastened to the assistance of his brother. Gilbert walked into the house after the accident. Dr. Hegg was then called who realized at once that the young man was seriously injured, and at the request of his parents, he was taken to the LeMars hospital, arriving there shortly after five o’clock. He passed away about three hours later.

Gilbert is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. K. DeBoer, and three brothers and two sisters, Gerrit, John and Frank, and Hattie and Frances. Practically his entire life had been spent in this vicinity. For the past five years the family have lived on the Stephens farm west of Rock Valley. His untimely death is very much regretted by the many friends of the family. He was a young man who was well thought of by all who knew him and will be greatly missed, not only in the home, but by many friends.

Funeral services were held in the First Reformed church in Rock Valley Wednesday afternoon.

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From the Sioux Center News, May 25, 1933:

20 Year Old Boy Killed In Tip Over

Gilbert De Boer, son of Klaas De Boer, living west of Lebanon, was killed when his car turned over and pinned him beneath it. It happened late Saturday afternoon when he was driving to get his father who had been working on some fences. When the boy didn’t arrive as arranged his father began looking for him and found him still living pinned in the upturned car. Gilbert was rushed to the Sacred Heart hospital at Le Mars where he died shortly afterwards without regaining consciousness. The cause of the death was a fractured skull.

The funeral was held Wednesday at the Reformed Church of Rock Valley, Rev. Newhouse officiating. The body was interred in the Inwood cemetery.

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His death certificate has Gilbert De Boer, resident of Hudson, S.D.; born July 27, 1913 in Inwood, Iowa; parents Klaas De Boer and Agnes De Boer, both born in Holland; a farmer; died in Sacred Heart Hospital, LeMars, at 8:15 p.m. May 20, 1933; causes, pulmonary hemorrhage, concussion of brain and fracture of skull; injured in a car accident on country road, Rock Valley, Iowa, injury to chest and head; buried at Inwood, Iowa.

FiindaGrave.com shows him buried in Richland Cemetery, Inwood, Lyon County, Iowa; parents Klaas De Boer (1878-1951) and Agnes Vander Werf De Boer (1877-1959).