Giesen, Nanning, 1915-1933

GIESEN, DYKSTRA

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

From the Ireton Ledger, November 16, 1933:

Sioux County Boy Killed While Hunting

Nanning Giesen, 18 years of age, a prominent Orange City young man, was almost instantly killed last Saturday afternoon from the accidental discharge of a shotgun, and thus records one fatality in Sioux County in the first two days of the open pheasant season this year.

Young Giesen with a group of companions had just completed the day’s hunt and were en route to the car for the trip back home when the accident happened that snuffed out his life. Paul Versteeg, walking just ahead of Giesen when crossing the Sioux county fair grounds north of Orange City, was carrying his shotgun over his shoulder. The gun was accidentally discharged and the shot struck Giesen in the forehead and penetrated his head.

Nanning Giesen, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Al Giesen, had been a lifelong resident of Orange City where he was born on May 12, 1915. Following the completion of his education, he had been employed during the past two years in the Giesen & Herwynen store in which his father was a partner. He is survived by his parents and two sisters.

Funeral services for the deceased were held at First Reformed church in Orange City Tuesday afternoon and the church was filled to overflowing by the many relatives and friends who came to pay their last respects to one of Orange City’s most popular young men. Rev. H. Colenbrander, pastor of the church, conducted the services, assisted by Rev. G. W. Hylkema, pastor of the Second Reformed church, and Rev. Jacob Heemstra, president of Northwestern Junior college.

The Giesen & Herwynen Store in Ireton, operated by Richard Herwynen, was closed Tuesday afternoon, and Mr. and Mrs. Herwynen went to Orange City to attend the funeral.

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From the Alton Democrat, November 17, 1933:

Accidental Shot Claims Young Life

Nanning Giesen, 18, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Al. Giesen of Orange City, was accidentally shot and killed Saturday afternoon, when a gun in the hands of Paul Dale Versteeg, 17, went off, the shot going into young Giesen’s eye and head, causing instant death. A large bunch of boys were hunting pheasants in a field adjoining the fair grounds. The accident happened before Nanning had reached the field.

He was born May 12, 1915, in Orange City, having lived here all his life, and graduated from the local Christian school, also attending the Academy for two years. During the past couple of years he had worked in the store of which his father is a partner, and also delivered groceries. Surviving are his parents and two sisters. Nanning was the eldest child.

[Followed by a paragraph on his funeral, similar to the above. Another obituary with similar information was published in the Hawarden Independent, November 16, 1933.]

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His death certificate adds his parents, Al. Giesen and Agnes Dykstra, both born in the Netherlands. Died November 11, 1933. Cause of death, “Accidental discharge of shot gun as found by coroner’s jury. In hands of Paul Dale Ver Steeg.”

FindaGrave.com shows him buried in West Lawn Cemetery, Orange City; parents Albert Giesen (1881-1947) and Agnes Dykstra Giesen (1887-1977). Sisters Ella Harmina Giesen De Jager (1916-1970) and Elizabeth L. Giesen De Jong (1925-2013).