VanKekerix, Clazena “Clara” (Mrs. Paul), 1892/1893-1935

VANKEKERIX, VANDENBOSCH, VANGEEST

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:38

From the Rock Valley Bee, March 15, 1935:

Mrs. Paul Van Kekerix Died At Hull Last Monday Evening

Mrs. Paul Van Kekerix passed away at the Hull hospital Monday evening. She had been taken there for treatment a few days earlier, and everything possible was done for her. Her untimely death is very much regretted and the many friends of the family extend sincere sympathy. We will try to give a further account next week.

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From the Rock Valley Bee, March 22, 1935:

Mrs. Paul Van Kekerix, whose death was briefly mentioned in last week’s Bee, passed away at the Hull hospital on Monday, March 11. Mrs. Van Kekerix was born in South Dakota, July 10, 1892. When she was a small girl her parents moved to this vicinity where she grew to womanhood.

She was united in marriage with Paul Van Kekerix July 12, 1912. The family have lived in this vicinity since that time. Mrs. Van Kekerix is survived by her husband and ten children, as follows: Rena, James, Jeanette, Simon, Leonard, Kathryn, Albertha, Dorothy, and a baby girl two weeks old. [yes, only 9 were listed]

She also leaves her father and step-mother, Mr. and Mrs. L. Vanden Bosch, and brothers and sisters as follows: Mrs. Bert Groeneweg, Mrs. Barney Bajema, John Vanden Bosch, Mrs. Ed Silvers, Mrs. Henry Vugteveen, Mrs. Henry De Witt and Thos. Vanden Bosch, besides other relatives and many friends. Her untimely death is very much regretted and many friends extend sincere sympathy to the bereaved husband and other near relatives.

Funeral services were held Friday, March 15, at the home at 1:15 and at the Christian Reformed church in Rock Valley at 2:00 p.m. The services were in charge of Rev. J. Gritter.

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From the Alton Democrat, March 22, 1935, Rock Valley news:

Mrs. Paul Van Kekerix, 42 years old, passed away Monday night at the Hull hospital. Mrs. Van Kekerix had been ill for a long time but hopes for her recovery were entertained by the family. She leaves to mourn her passing ten children, namely, Mrs. Jake Cleypol, James, Lena, Jeanette, Simon, Leonard, Kathryn, Alberta, Dorothy and an infant; a grandchild; and her husband, Paul Van Kekerix. She also leaves several sisters and brothers and her father, Lane Vanden Bosch.

The Van Kekerix family are long-time residents of the Rock Valley vicinity and are at present located on a farm south of town.

Funeral services were conducted at the home at 1:30 o’clock and at the Christian Ref. church, conducted by Rev. De Bruin of Sioux Falls and the local pastor, Rev. J. Gritters, in both the Holland and American languages. Interment took place at Valley View cemetery.

Among those present for the funeral were Henry Vanden Bosch and daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Vanden Bosch, Mrs. J. Lubben and children, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Vanden Bosch, Mr. and Mrs. George Vanden Bosch, Mr. and Mrs. John Vanden Bosch, Mr. and Mrs. Dave Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Blom, Mr. and Mrs. John Lubben, Mr. and Mrs. Henry De Kam, Mr. and Mrs. C. Bolt, all of Edgerton, Minnesota; Mrs. P. De Zeeuw, W. Van Veldhuizen, Mr. and Mrs. I. Herwynen, Mr. and Mrs. Keizer, Mr. and Mrs. De Leeuw, of Orange City; Mr. and Mrs. Peter Wielenga of Lebanon, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Silvis of Bigelow, Minnesota.

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RESEARCH NOTES

The Sioux County Cemetery Index has two entries, apparently both for her: Van Kekerix, Clara, d. 11 Mar 1935 age 42, Mrs. Paul, Valley View Cem, Rock Valley IA (WPA Index); and Van Kekerix, Clazena, b. 1893, d. 1935, Valley View Cem, Rock Valley IA.

Her death certificate gives her name as Clara Van Kekerix and her birth date as July 12, 1892; parents Leonard Vanden Bosch and Andrena Vanden Bosch, both born in the Netherlands; died at 9:30 p.m. March 11, 1935; cause of death, “acute mephitis” [the closest definition seems to be a foul-smelling gas or fluid], onset Mar 9, 19[35]; contributory cause, eclampsia, onset March 4, 1935. A typed note on the certificate says “(Over)”, but the reverse side was not filmed.

Her FindaGrave.com page has her as Clazena Vandenbosch Van Kekerix, with a photo of her headstone (“Clazena Van Kekerix 1893-1935”). The accompanying text gives her birth date as 10 July 1892, in Harrison, Douglas County, South Dakota. It gives her parents as Leendert Vandenbosch (1866-1959) and Hendrina Van Geest Vandenbosch (1871-1902), and lists three siblings – Lyda Groeneweg, Johanna Bajema, and Alice Oldenkamp—and three half siblings – John J. and Thomas William Vandenbosch, and Frances DeWit.