Wiersma, Fannie (Mrs. William) 1873-1964

WIERSMA, VEDDERS, MEESTER

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-volunteer
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:36

Source: Alton Democrat (1-16-1964)

Born: October 16, 1873
Died: January 7, 1964

Funeral services for Mrs. William Wiersma, 91, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, a former Orange City resident, were held Friday at the Second Christian Reformed Church. Reverend Harlan Roelofs officiated. She passed away at midnight, January 7.

Mrs. Wiersma (nee Fannie Vedders) was born October 16,1872 in the Netherlands, the daughter of Henry Vedders and Frederika Meester Vedders. As a young child, she came to America with her parents, pioneering in South Dakota. Upon the death of her mother, she as a young girl, stayed with relatives in Sioux County. She was married to William Wiersma on June 13, 1895 at Orange City. She was a charter member of the Second Christian Reformed Church of Orange City. In May, 1961, she went to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she was cared for by her daughters, remaining there until her death.

She is survived by seven daughters, Freda De Vries of Denver, Colorado, Anne Ring of Boise, Idaho, Deane Koerner of Greene, lowa, Cecelia Brouwer of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Helen Kuyper of Holland, Michigan, Margaret Sterken of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Dorothy Popma of Boise, Idaho; a son, John Wiersma of Grundy Center, lowa; a sister, Mrs. Ben Bolt of New Holland, South Dakota; sixteen grand-children, 23 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, a former sheriff of Sioux County, on August 17,1938; a daughter, Harriet, who died at the age of 15 years; and two sisters, Mrs. Minnie Kempema of Rock Valley and Mrs. Reka Schaap of Edgerton, Minnesota. Interment was in the Orange City Cemetery. Van Etten Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.