Postma, Richard, 1869-1934

POSTMA, LAKESMA, LEEGSMA

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

From the Rock Valley Bee, December 21, 1934:

The remains of Richard Postma were brought here from Sioux City last Friday for burial. Mr. Postma, who formerly lived in Rock Valley, died in the home of his brother, Harry Postma, in Sioux City, where he was making his home.

[No other obit was found in the next week’s issue of the Bee.]

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From the Alton Democrat, December 21, 1934, Rock Valley news:

Dick Postma, a former resident of Rock Valley and vicinity, was laid to rest in the family burial plot at Valley View cemetery Saturday. Deceased was a brother of Harry Postma, also a former resident of this city, now of Sioux City, where deceased spent his last days. He leaves two brothers to mourn his passing, Harry of Sioux City and Ben of Anadarko, Oklahoma. A brother, John, preceded him in death in March 1927, and a sister also passed away many years ago,

Mr. Postma was a bachelor who was a quiet but friendly individual and had many friends here who were sorry to learn of his long illness. Mr. Postma formerly owned property at Rock Valley.

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He is not included in the Sioux County Cemetery Index.

The 1930 U.S. census shows him as Richard Postma, age 62, living in Sioux City with his younger brother Harry A. Postma, Harry’s wife and daughter, and two boarders. He is an odd jobs laborer and Harry manages an employment bureau.

In the 1925 Iowa state census he is given as Richard G. Postma, age 55, living in Sioux City with Harry and his family; their parents are Gerrit D. Postma and Zeba Lakesma, both born in the Netherlands and married in Pella, Iowa.

The 1900 U.S. census shows him living in Sioux Township, Sioux County with Harold and his young family; age 30, birth date October 1869; he and Harold are farmers.

The obituary of his brother John gives their parents as Gerka (Gerrit) and Siebe Postma, and her birth name as either Lakesma or Leegsma.