Smeenk, Hattie (Mrs. John), 1873-1933

SMEENK, SMEEK, STELLINGWERF, SMITS

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:36

From the Alton Democrat, January 5, 1934:

Mrs. John Smeenk Funeral Held On New Year’s Day

Mrs. John Smeenk, nee Hattie Stellingwerf, passed on at her home a mile east of Orange City on December 28 after an illness of two months.

Mrs. Smeenk was 60 years of age, having been born in April, 1873 in the Netherlands. She came to Sioux county with her parents when eight years of age. In 1893 she was married to John Smeenk and for 25 years the family farmed near Harrisburg, S.D. Then they returned to this county, living at Sioux Center and Orange City and moving about eight years ago to a small farm on the Alton-Orange City road.

She is survived by her husband and six children, Will and Matilda, who are doing religious work in the Netherlands; Emma, Mrs. Nick Kloster of Carnes; Joe, Nellie and Raymond, at home; and one brother, M. Stellingwerf of Sioux Center. Members of the family have the sympathy of many friends in the passing of this splendid mother, kind neighbor and friend.

Funeral services at the home on New Year’s day were attended by some two hundred friends and relatives, so that standing room in the home was taxed. Mrs. Smeenk was a faithful member of the Bible Students Assn. and services were conducted by Elder J. K. Bekman of the Alton Bible Students group. Interment was in Nassau Township cemetery at Alton.

* * * * * * * * * *

RESEARCH NOTES

An obituary in De Volksvriend (January 4, 1934) adds that she has two grandchildren, Judith and Gilbert Kloster, and a brother, Melle, of Sioux Center.

The Sioux County Cemetery Index has her listed twice, as both Smeenk and Smeek. Her husband is also indexed as Smeek.

Her death certificate has her as Hattie Stillingwerf Smeenk; born April 27, 1873 in Holland; father Johannes Stillingwerf; resident of the U.S. for 52 years, 8 months, and of Alton for 29 years; died at 9:00 p.m. December 29, 1933; cause, carcinoma of colon, onset November 15, 1933; confirmed via an autopsy.

The 1925 Iowa state census gives her parents as Johanes Stellingwerf and Lettie[?] Smits.