Roorda, Rena (Mrs. Hessel S.), 1862-1934

ROORDA, DYKSTRA, VANDERSCHAAF

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

From the Alton Democrat, June 29, 1934, Rock Valley news:

Mrs. Hessel Roorda Sr.

Early Sunday morning Mrs. Hessel Roorda Sr. passed on. Although long a semi invalid she was confined to bed but a few weeks before her passing.

Rena Dykstra was born 72 years ago in Pingjun, Friesland. In 1882 she immigrated to the United States with her parents, sisters and brother, of whom she was the oldest. In 1887 she was married to Hessel Roorda and the couple farmed near Sioux Center until about twenty years ago, when they retired and moved to Rock Valley. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Roorda, of whom six survive, namely Hessel Jr., Emma, Mrs. Henry Kosters, Detmer, all of Rock Valley; Miss Bessie, Sioux Falls; Spencer of Sheldon and Ray of Los Angeles. The latter arrived on Wednesday in time to see his mother before her passing. She is survived by two brothers, R. D. Dykstra of Sioux Center, Rev. B. D. Dykstra of Orange City; and by one sister, Mrs. Anthony Te Paske, Sioux Center.

Mrs. Roorda was a devoted wife and mother and her unselfishness and thoughtfulness also extended to the family group of relatives, to neighbors and all those in her circle. She is said never to have forgotten a birthday or anniversary in the family relationship.

Services were held at the M. E. church Tuesday, Rev. Tyler officiating and Interment was in the Rock Valley cemetery

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From the Rock Valley Bee, June 29, 1934:

Death of Mrs. H. Roorda, Sr.

Mrs. Hessel Roorda, Sr. (nee Rena Dykstra) was born in the Netherlands February 20, 1862. She came to this country with her parents and family in 1882, arriving at Alton on June 4th.

On May 4, 1887, she was united in marriage to Hessel Roorda. Ten children were born to them, of whom four preceded her in death: one in infancy; Adelphus, 17, in 1917; Alvin, 19, in 1918; and Dora, 24, in 1929. The surviving children are Hessel, and Mrs. Emma Kosters, Rock Valley; Detmer, Hawarden; Bessie, of Sioux Falls; Spencer, Sheldon; and Ray, Los Angeles, Calif. There are also twelve grandchildren, two brothers and one sister, Rev. B. D. Dykstra, Orange City and R. D. Dykstra and Mrs. Anthony Te Paske, Sioux Center.

Mr. and Mrs. Roorda lived in the Sioux Center community until 1916, when they retired from the farm and came to Rock Valley. Mrs. Roorda’s health began to fail about five years ago. Eleven days before her death, she became seriously ill, passing away peacefully at six o’clock last Sunday morning, June 24, 1934, being seventy-two years, four months and four days of age at the time of her death.

Throughout she bore her illness with fortitude and good cheer; and when she knew the inevitable hour was near at hand, she accepted it calmly, bravely and without complaint. As wife, as mother, and as homemaker, she was outstanding, and those who knew her best will rise up to call her memory blessed.

There is deep sorrow. As wife, as mother, as grandmother, as sister, as friend, she lived a life of tender devotion. And most of all do they sympathize with the grief-stricken husband whose loss is the greatest.

Funeral services were held in the Methodist church Tuesday afternoon and the remains were taken to Valley View Cemetery.

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Her death certificate adds her parents, Daehle[?] Dykstra and Beitske Vander Schaaf, both born in the Netherlands; died at 6:05 a.m. June 24, 1934; causes, diabetes mellitus, onset 1927, chronic nephritis & heart [disease?], onset 1933, and intestinal obstruction, onset 6-15-1934; contributory cause, un[???]ical hernia became strangulated, duration 35 years; an enterostomy was performed 6-20-34.

FindaGrave.com shows her born in Pingjum, Sudwest Fryslan Municipality, Friesland, and gives her husband’s name as Hessel Sytzes Roorda (1858-1938)

WieWasWie.nl has a birth index entry for her as Reintje Dijkstra, born 20 Feb 1862 in Wonseradeel, Friesland, parents Doekle Reinders Dijkstra and Beitske Reinders van der Schaaf.